You never know what treasures you can find in your church. A few years ago, our staff associate was cleaning out our baby room when she came across a box of Pampers from the 1980s. It was open and some of the diapers had been removed; others had been refolded. A member of the congregation happened to be passing by and mentioned that she had seen something similar on ebay recently that sold for $50. She volunteered to put this box on ebay and by the time the bidding had ended, we had $700US! 

I love this idea DKS. Let us know how it turns out.

My advice is always to get 2 quotes. Would it be more valuable at an auction or as scrap?

Stuff that comes in for rummage sales especially if it is dropped off and the church doesnt know who it belongs to. Some real money makers have been found.

Silver is a commodity and prices are what they are.

commodity or not there can be a difference in $

Kind of like US/Can exchange rates can vary

Having sold gold jewellery recently, I didn't find much local variation in price. And being in a smaller centre, we don't have outlets like Harold the Jewellery Buyer.

http://haroldjewellerybuyer.ca/what_we_buy.html

or Russell "Cashman" Oliver.

http://www.oliverjewellery.ca/index.html

If all the congregations across America and Europe go looking for their stored/unwanted silver and gold to offer for sale - the market could get glutted!!

Don't delay - sell today!

Oh - wait - that wouldn't work because the decision has to be discussed in boring, endless detail by every committee of the church and, of course, the Board.

Just kidding.

Sounds interesting ... do let us know the outcome of the discovery!

(an aside - did you know that poor Harold the Jewellery Buyer was very badly assaulted last week?  Nasty injuries, from a repeat customer, but it didn't deter him from quickly being back in his store!)

Not in my congregation. If there is an issue, it will be "who gets the money?" But thta will be decided amicably.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned keeping at least one place setting for the church archieves.  You say they date back prior to church union, when the congregation were Methodist - I hate to think that you would lose a piece of church history for a few dollars.   Of course if finances are so tight, and if the silver would realize enough, that it is going to make a real difference in keeping the church alive and carrying out its mission - that is a different matter.  But remember, once something like this is gone, it can never be replaced.

Two sets of flatware have already been set aside. That was our first step.

DKS,

you'd better hope that a Werewolf apocalypse doesn't happen now ;3

I still have my own heirloom sterling silver knife at home.

You see, I didn't know that sterling silver was some sort of protection against werewolves ... should I enter this on the thread about What I learned on WC??  Luckily I have some here at home!

Thank goodness you found out before you ran into a werewolf, Carolla!  Old treasures are such a thrill to find...

I too did not know that-my I too have a silver knife in my siverware chest.

Remeber when we called it "silverware" not cutlery?

I have my mom's silver.  Dad was trying to convince me to sell some of it for my own pocket, but, i like the idea of keeping it.  maybe that will change.

Still do.

I'll call it silverware if it's actually silverware.

If it is in good condition and is old and you have matching pieces to form place settings i would contact an antique dealer.  Good silver goes for alot.

ok we are ready for an update......

Going to be a while. Huge funeral tomorrow... reception in the church hall...