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18 Karat Gold & Diamond Edwardian Cufflinks, Circa 1919

18 Karat Gold & Diamond Edwardian Cufflinks, Circa 1919
Photo Credit: KensingtonAntiques

18 Karat Gold & Diamond Edwardian Cufflinks, Circa 1919

Asking Price: $1,250 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Here is a marvelous pair of heavy, 18 karat yellow gold and old European cut diamond Edwardian cufflinks that were crafted in Birmingham, England.

-They measure 0.69 inches (17 mm) long by 0.5 inches (13 mm) wide and weigh a substantial 13 grams (0.418 troy ounces).

-These Edwardian cufflinks are superbly constructed from very heavy, solid 18 karat gold.  Robust construction is one of the primary indicators of quality in antique jewelry.

-These antique cufflinks are fully hallmarked, which is a very desirable trait!  They were made in Birmingham in 1919 by B.H. Joseph & Co., a very well-regarded jewelry and silverware fabricator that operated at 20 Frederick Street, Birmingham from the 1860s until 1929.

-Birmingham, England was world-famous for the number and quality of “smalls”, or small silver and gold accessories, that were produced there.

-These Edwardian cufflinks are set with 12 old European cut diamonds that have an estimated total weight of 0.72 carats.  Assuming an average diamond value of $250 per carat, these cufflinks are set with $180 worth of diamonds, give or take.

-These solid 18 karat gold cufflinks have a simple, but classic design that is both attractive and functional.  This means that even though they are almost 100 years old, a man can still wear these cufflinks to any occasion that requires a suit without feeling out-dated.

-The thing I like most about these Edwardian cufflinks is their relatively high intrinsic value.  With gold currently trading at $1,268, these cufflinks contain $397 worth of gold.  Combine that with the value of the old European cut diamonds and the total intrinsic value of the pair is approximately $577 – nearly half the asking price of $1,250.  Buying antique jewelry that has a high intrinsic value relative to its purchase price significantly reduces your investment risk.

-Regardless of whether you are looking to buy a pair of cufflinks to wear or as an investment, these solid 18 karat gold and diamond Edwardian cufflinks represent good value for your money at an asking price of only $1,250.

 

Cons:

-Although they were created in 1919 at the very end of the Edwardian period, these cufflinks have significant Victorian elements in their design.  Under most circumstances, the mixing of two separate design languages – Edwardian and Victorian in this case – reduces the desirability of a piece.  However, I believe the simplicity of these cufflinks renders them aesthetically timeless.  This also explains why they were created in this style in 1919, well after the Victorian age had passed.  In any case, even though these cufflinks do no embody the typical delicacy of Edwardian jewelry, they are still quite desirable.

-The seller claims that the diamonds in these Edwardian cufflinks grade G to J in color and VS1 to VS2 in clarity.  However, it is a good working assumption that any diamond you buy online from anyone other than a very reputable, dedicated diamond seller will be over-graded by one clarity and one color grade.  Although I have no reason to believe this particular seller is being dishonest or misleading in any way, it is simply a good rule of thumb to follow when buying diamond jewelry online.  Even assuming the color and clarity of these diamonds are one grade lower than stated, the total value of the cufflinks is not significantly impacted because antique cut diamonds are not judged by the same aesthetic standards as modern-cut diamonds.

14 Karat Gold Bulova Mini Accutron Wristwatch from 1973

14 Karat Gold Bulova Mini Accutron Wristwatch from 1973
Photo Credit: PayLessDestination

14 Karat Gold Bulova Mini Accutron Wristwatch from 1973

Asking Price: $999.99 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This magnificent Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch from 1973 has a striking blue enamel dial and a solid 14 karat yellow gold case.

-The Accutron was an innovative movement first released in 1960 by the American watch manufacturer Bulova.  The Accutron movement relies on a vibrating tuning fork to keep time.  As a result, instead of ticking like a traditional mechanical wristwatch, Bulova Accutrons make a very distinctive humming noise.  Vintage watch enthusiasts often consider Accutrons to be a stepping stone between traditional mechanical and modern quartz watch movements.

-This vintage Bulova mini Accutron measures 33.4 mm (1.31 inches) wide, including the crown, and 36.8 mm (1.45 inches) long, including the lugs.  This wristwatch is also rather thick, at 9.8 mm (0.39 inches).  Chunky wristwatches were very much in style during the 1970s, but the extra thickness also served to accommodate its advanced tuning fork movement.

-Bulova Accutrons were immensely popular from the early 1960s until the mid 1970s.  It is estimated that several million movements were produced during this time.  The last Accutron tuning fork movements were made in 1976, when they were replaced by cheaper and more accurate quartz technology.

-The use of a Florentine, or textured, gold finish on the case of this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch is a classic hallmark of 1970s design.  The watch’s bold blue dial and stout proportions are also characteristic of the 1970s zeitgeist.

-This Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch uses a Swiss-made 2301 movement, which was one of the smallest Accutron movements Bulova produced.  Because of this, the 230 series Accutron movement was usually employed in women’s watches.  However, it was occasionally used in men’s watches as well.  Given the somewhat larger case size (for the time) of this specimen, I feel that it was probably originally intended to be a man’s wristwatch.

-This vintage Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch has a case made from solid 14 karat yellow gold and was undoubtedly a very expensive watch when new.  In fact, this page from a 1972 Bulova dealer’s catalogue lists a similar watch (albeit with a solid gold bracelet that this example lacks) for $475.  That would be the equivalent of $2,852 in 2017, after adjusting for inflation.

-I love this watch because it ticks all the right boxes.  It is made from solid 14 karat gold.  It uses the iconic Bulova Accutron movement.  It reflects a quintessentially eye-catching 1970s style.  And it is in amazingly good condition.  But perhaps most importantly, at only $1,000 this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch can be your gateway into the world’s most under-owned asset class.

 

Cons:

-Although Bulova Accutrons have fewer moving parts than traditional mechanical watch movements (12 versus 26, respectively), they still require periodic service.  Because the seller has not disclosed whether or not this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch was recently serviced, it is safe to assume it hasn’t been.  Therefore, it would be wise to set aside an additional $100 to $300 for servicing the watch if you plan to buy it.

-I would have loved for the seller to include a photo of the watch movement.  This oversight is perhaps forgivable, considering that Bulova Accutrons do not suffer from many of the issues that can affect purely mechanical watch movements.

Brazilian 12 Guilder Gold Coin Restrike from 1954

Brazilian 12 Guilder Gold Coin Restrike from 1954
Photo Credit: Atlas-Numismatics

Brazilian 12 Guilder Gold Coin Restrike from 1954

Buy It Now Price: $604 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Here is an unusual and captivating Brazilian 12 guilder gold coin restrike from 1954.  The original coins were minted in 1645/46, a period when the Dutch controlled part of the Portuguese colony of Brazil.

-This Brazilian 12 guilder restrike is a klippe, or square, coin that measures 21.6 mm (0.85 inches) by 21.7 mm (0.85 inches).

-We do not know the fineness of these gold restrikes, but it is certain that they are very high purity.  I would guess they are .900 fine gold or better.  Given that this particular coin weighs 7.74 grams (0.2488 troy ounces), we can infer that the melt value is at least $289 with spot gold trading at $1,292.  This means the restrike is selling for a moderate 109% premium over bullion value.

-The obverse features the roman numerals “XII” (for 12 guilders) and “GWC” (for Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagniev), while the reverse has “ANNO BRASIL” and the date, 1645.

-The Netherlands seized a large portion of Brazil from the Portuguese between 1630 and 1654, in an attempt to exploit the region’s valuable sugarcane plantations.  The coastal city of Recife became the capital of Dutch Brazil during this period.

-The original Brazilian 12 guilder gold coins were struck by the Geoctroyeede West-Indische Compagniev, or Dutch West India Company, in the Pernambuco region of Brazil from late 1645 into 1646.  The coins were made with West African gold delivered to the port of Recife aboard the Dutch galleon “Zeeland”.

-The original Brazilian 12 guilder pieces, along with their very similar 3 and 6 guilder counterparts, are among the rarest of Brazilian coins.  Although it is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 of each denomination were struck, almost all of them were subsequently melted down or lost.  As a result, there are only around 50 to 60 examples of all three denominations still extant, and perhaps 15 to 20 of those are part of museum collections.

-The Brazilian 12 guilder gold coin featured above was restruck in 1954 during the Exposition Numismatic in Sao Paulo in celebration of the city’s 400th anniversary.  It is prominently labeled “COPIA” (copy) on both sides so that it cannot be confused with an original specimen.  It is also stamped “S. PAULO IV CENT.”

-While the mintage of this Brazilian 12 guilder restrike is unknown, a clue is provided by the fact that they have all been individually serialized (numbered).  This specimen is number 119 and I have not seen any that are numbered above 200.  As a result, I would guess that the total mintage of these restrikes is very low – probably between 200 and 300 pieces.

-Two other examples of this Brazilian 12 guilder restrike sold at auction recently.  The first brought $800 plus an 18% buyer’s premium on October 25, 2012.  The other sold for $850 plus a 17.5% buyer’s premium on May 1, 2013.  These auction results compare very favorably to the $604 asking price for this specimen.  It is also noteworthy that both of those auction sales were made to dealers, indicating that they believed the coins could potentially be resold to collectors for even higher prices.

-There is a strong relationship between the collector demand for a nation’s coinage and its GDP.  Currently, Brazil is one of the largest emerging market countries, with a nominal 2016 GDP of nearly $1.8 trillion.  Therefore, this Brazilian 12 guilder gold coin could serve as a great investment substitute in place of Brazilian stocks in your portfolio.

 

Cons:

-An original specimen of this Brazilian 12 guilder gold coin would be vastly more valuable than this restrike.  In January 2011, an original example sold for $54,625 at auction, over 90 times the asking price of this restrike version.  However, these restrikes are now over 60 years old in their own right and are gradually coming into their own as desirable specimens.

-This gold coin is highly illiquid, a common trait among fine art and antiques.  I highly recommend that you hold this coin for many years if you decide to buy, otherwise there is a high probability that you will take a loss on any resale.

Old Poured 1 Kilo Johnson Matthey Silver Bar

Old Poured 1 Kilo Johnson Matthey Silver Bar
Photo Credit: Coin-Exchange-NY

Old Poured 1 Kilo Johnson Matthey Silver Bar

Buy It Now Price: $798.78 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This impressive, old 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar is a poured, .999 fine, precious metal masterpiece made by Johnson Matthey Canada, most likely in the 1980s.

-Johnson Matthey, along with Engelhard, was the most well known and respected name in precious metal refining during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

-In 2015, Johnson Matthey exited the precious metal refining business by selling its refining subsidiary to a Japanese competitor, Asahi Refining.  Asahi Refining currently produces silver bars under the Asahi nameplate, having discontinued the Johnson Matthey brand.

-It is always nice to be able to pick up a vintage silver bar with an individual serial number!  While serialization was fairly uncommon on classic silver bars fabricated in the 1970s and 1980s, it is almost never done today due to cost constraints.  Certain poured silver bars from Yeager’s Poured Silver, a contemporary artisan specialty fabricator, are an interesting exception to this rule.

-If there ever was a blue-chip investment in vintage silver bars, this 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar is it.  Not only was it made by one of the premier precious metal refiners, but, in my opinion, it is also nearly the ideal size for a silver bar.  Vintage silver bars weighing between 20 troy ounces and 1 kilo (32.1507 troy ounces), offer a perfect combination of impressive size, substantial heft and reasonable pricing not available in smaller or larger bars.

-1 kilo vintage silver bars are generally scarcer than other sizes, such as 5, 10 or 100 troy ounce bars.  It is estimated that this old 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar had a mintage of less than 3,000 pieces.  This is a very modest mintage, and is substantially less than many other popular vintage silver bars.

-With silver trading at $17.10 per troy ounce, this poured 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar has an intrinsic value of about $550.  This represents a premium of 45.3%, or about $7.75 per troy ounce, over the spot price of silver.  I think the asking price of $799 is quite fair considering the history, character and gravitas of this classic silver bar.

 

Cons:

-Vintage 100 troy ounce Johnson Matthey poured silver bars are readily available in the marketplace for much smaller premiums over bullion value than this 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar.  They generally only cost 5% to 12% over melt value, but that is because they are much more common, with mintages for some series ranging from 50,000 to 500,000.  In addition, these 100 troy ounce behemoths are a little too large for most collectors; each one is the size of a small brick and tips the scales at almost 7 pounds.

-10 or 15 years ago you might have been able to pick up this old 1 kilo Johnson Matthey silver bar for only a $1 or $2 per ounce over spot.  But vintage silver bullion bars have since developed a devoted collector base.  I’m afraid the days of buying these wonderful old poured silver bars for close to spot price are gone forever.