Junk ... or gems?

Everyone has their treasures.

But whether those hold value in others' eyes - or their checkbooks - isn't always certain.

It could be worth investigating.

Folks will have a rare opportunity to discern if their personal hordes are full of junk or gems this week, when the Treasure Hunters Roadshow rolls into town for a five-day visit.

"We've done very well in Coeur d'Alene," said spokesperson Matthew Enright, adding that this is the third year the syndicated show has dropped by. "We don't return to a town unless we have a better-than-average response."

The international roadshow will provide free examination of any odds and ends folks bring by, Enright said, adding that the show has experts in all valuables.

That spans coins, toys, jewelry, war memorabilia and more, he said.

"We've had unbelievable stuff come in," Enright said. "We had an electric chair come in at a show in Tampa."

The roadshow prefers not to use the word appraise, he added.

Treasure Hunters Roadshow differs from the Antique Roadshow model, he explained.

Don't doubt, the Treasure Hunters crew will gauge a valuable's condition and sort out its origin and history.

But instead of just estimating an item's value for owners to mull over, Enright said, the Treasure Hunters will actually sell it.

Immediately, by the way. At the show.

"There's no pressure to sell, but if people want to, they have that option," Enright said.

Roadshow staff will call appropriate collectors and even set up video feeds with potential purchasers so they can take a gander at the goods, Enright said.

If individuals chooses to sell, they will leave the show with money in hand, he promised.

"We are paying for it, sometimes using their (collectors') funds, sometimes using our own," he said. "We're like the liaison through the seller and the collector."

It might be easier to sell at the show than a local location, Enright added.

The international roadshow has more resources to purchase high-value items than small dealers or pawn stores might.

"A lot of people don't have the resources to shell out that kind of money," he said, alluding to a recent coin sale that surpassed $100,000.

There are big surprises in every town, he added.

Some folks find that items with soaring sentimental value have market values in the gutter.

And some discover that dusty, forgotten heirlooms could buy a house.

"The biggest thing is to keep an open mind," Enright said. "I'd say the majority of our customers who come through don't have a clue. They either don't know or weren't expecting an item to be worth a whole lot."

The show will be held at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn from Tuesday to Saturday. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Free gold and silver testing will be available at the show.

The meetings between experts and item owners will be private, Enright said.

He cautioned against cleaning antique items beforehand, which might remove tarnish or otherwise devalue the piece.

Otherwise, don't be afraid to take a chance, he said.

"If you're not sure (about an item), bring it on in," Enright said. "It never hurts to try."

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