Step-by-Step Tutorials

Start Your Appraisal

Click the "Get Appraisal" button in the top navigation or visit the appraisal form. If you're not logged in, you can still start - we'll prompt you to create a free account to save your results.

Upload Your Photos

Upload 1-10 clear photos of your item. Include:

• Overall shot - Shows the complete item
• Detail shots - Close-ups of signatures, marks, or unique features
• Condition indicators - Any damage, wear, or repairs
• Scale reference - Place a coin or ruler nearby for size context

Add a Description (Optional)

Include any information you know about the item:

• Where you acquired it (inherited, purchased, found)
• Any known history or provenance
• Dimensions or measurements
• Materials if known (silver, porcelain, oil on canvas, etc.)

Tip: More context helps our AI provide more accurate valuations!

Submit and Wait

Click "Submit for Appraisal" and our AI will analyze your item. Most appraisals complete within 30-60 seconds. Complex items may take up to 2 minutes.

Review Your Appraisal

Your appraisal report includes:

• Identification - What the item is, including maker, period, and style
• Valuation Range - Fair market value estimate (low, mid, high)
• Comparable Sales - Links to similar items sold at auction
• Condition Notes - Factors affecting value
• Historical Context - Background on the maker or style

Use Natural Light

Position your item near a window with indirect sunlight. Avoid:

• Direct sunlight (causes harsh shadows and glare)
• Overhead room lights (creates uneven lighting)
• Flash (flattens details and causes reflections)

Best time: Morning or late afternoon near a north-facing window.

Choose a Clean Background

Use a plain, neutral background that doesn't distract:

• White or light gray paper/cloth works best
• Avoid busy patterns or cluttered backgrounds
• For silver items, use a darker background to show form

Capture Multiple Angles

Take photos from different perspectives:

• Front - Main view showing the item's face
• Back - Often reveals maker's marks or labels
• Top/Bottom - Important for pottery, silver, furniture
• Profile/Side - Shows depth and form

Focus on Details

Close-up shots are crucial for accurate identification:

• Signatures - Artist signatures, maker's marks
• Hallmarks - Silver marks, pottery stamps
• Labels - Paper labels, stickers, inventory numbers
• Construction - Joints, stitching, hardware
• Damage - Chips, cracks, repairs, wear

Include Scale Reference

Help us understand the size of your item:

• Place a coin (quarter or penny) next to small items
• Use a ruler for medium items
• Include a common object (book, pen) for larger items

Check Image Quality

Before submitting, verify your photos are:

• Sharp - Not blurry (hold steady or use a surface)
• Bright enough - Details visible in shadows
• Not cropped - Show the entire item
• In focus - Tap your screen to focus before shooting

Find the Hallmarks on Your Silver

Look for small stamped marks, usually found on:

• Flatware: Back of handle or bowl
• Hollowware: Base, rim, or near handle
• Jewelry: Clasp, inside of ring band, or back of pendant

Use a magnifying glass - hallmarks are often very small!

Photograph the Marks Clearly

For best results:

• Use macro mode or a magnifying lens
• Ensure good lighting at an angle to show depth
• Take multiple shots at different angles
• Clean the marks gently first (avoid harsh cleaners)

Go to the Hallmark Finder

Visit /hallmarks/search or click "Hallmark Finder" in the Tools menu.

Upload Your Hallmark Photo

Upload a clear photo of the hallmarks. Our AI will analyze the marks and identify:

• Maker's Mark - Who made the piece
• Standard Mark - Silver purity (sterling, coin, etc.)
• Assay Office - Where it was tested (London, Birmingham, etc.)
• Date Letter - Year of manufacture
• Duty Mark - If tax was paid (on older pieces)

Browse the Database

You can also browse hallmarks manually:

• Search by maker name
• Filter by country, period, or city
• View date letter charts by assay office

Photograph Both Sides

Always capture both obverse (front) and reverse (back):

• Place coin on plain dark background (black felt works great)
• Use natural light at an angle to show relief
• Photograph straight down, not at an angle
• Avoid glare from shiny surfaces

Go to the Coin Finder

Visit /coins/find or select "Coin Finder" from the Tools menu.

Upload Your Photos

Upload photos of both sides. Our AI will identify:

• Country of origin
• Denomination - Face value
• Year of minting
• Mint mark - Where it was made
• Variety - Special editions or errors

Review the Valuation

Values are provided for different conditions:

• Good (G) - Heavy wear, design visible
• Very Good (VG) - Moderate wear
• Fine (F) - Light wear on high points
• Very Fine (VF) - Minimal wear
• Extremely Fine (EF) - Slight wear only
• Uncirculated (MS) - No wear, mint condition

Look for Key Dates and Errors

Our system flags valuable varieties:

• Key dates with low mintage
• Die errors (doubled dies, off-center strikes)
• Proof and special mint sets
• Rare mint marks

Prepare Your Stamp for Photography

For accurate identification:

• Keep stamps in their protective mounts if possible
• Use stamp tongs (tweezers) to handle - never touch with fingers
• Place on white background for color accuracy
• Photograph the back if there's a watermark

Take Clear, Close-Up Photos

Stamps are small, so detail matters:

• Use macro mode on your camera/phone
• Ensure sharp focus on the design
• Show perforations clearly (spacing affects value)
• Capture any cancellation marks

Go to the Stamp Finder

Visit /stamps/find or select "Stamp Finder" from the Tools menu.

Upload and Get Results

Our AI identifies:

• Country of origin
• Year of issue
• Catalog numbers - Scott, Stanley Gibbons, etc.
• Varieties - Color shades, paper types, printing errors
• Estimated value - Based on condition and market data

Understanding Stamp Condition

Condition dramatically affects value:

• Mint - Unused with original gum
• Mint NH - Never hinged (most valuable)
• Used - Cancelled, condition of cancel matters
• Centering - Well-centered stamps worth more