Why You Shouldn't Throw Anything Away

[MA-Caver]

At least have it checked out first.

Childhood 'toy' revealed as ancient Persian relic

Wed May 28, 8:29 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080528/od_afp/lifestylebritainauctionhistory_080528122922
LONDON (AFP) - An ancient gold cup mysteriously acquired by an English scrap metal dealer is expected to fetch close to a million dollars at auction after languishing for years in a shoe box under its current owner's bed.
Owner John Webber says his grandfather gave him the 5.5-inch (14-centimetre) high mug to play with when he was a child, back in 1945.
He assumed the golden cup, which is decorated with the heads of two women facing in opposite directions, their foreheads garlanded with two knotted snakes, was made from brass.
But he decided to get it valued when he was moving house last year and was told it was actually a rare piece of ancient Persian treasure, beaten out of a single sheet of gold hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Experts said the method of manufacture and the composition of the gold was "consistent with Achaemenid gold and gold smithing" dating back to the third or fourth century BC.

One wonders how many other priceless treasures have been casually tossed into the garbage in years past and is laying under tons of landfill right about now?

 

[Jai]

all I can say is lucky.

 

[Fiendlover]

That's also a pretty sweet looking cup. Who would want to throw that out in the first place? But to each his own, I guess.

 

[terryl965]

Yea make me wonder how much old stuff was really worth something.

 

[Ceicei]

And how is one to know if whatever they have is junk or valuable? We can't just simply pause every time spring cleaning is done whether to call in the experts.

 

[Drac]

all I can say is lucky.

REAL lucky.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

REAL lucky.

Exactly, let's hope some of that luck comes our way.

 

[MA-Caver]

And how is one to know if whatever they have is junk or valuable? We can't just simply pause every time spring cleaning is done whether to call in the experts.

Spoken like a woman. (just kidding)... Very simple you designate a box for the questionables, then call in the experts!