What to Do with Inherited Antiques: A Practical Guide
What to do with inherited antiques is one of the most common questions I hear from families after losing a loved one. I’m Chad Busby, owner of Busby Antiques in Oviedo, Florida. I’ve spent 25 years helping people sort through exactly this situation — a house full of a parent’s or grandparent’s belongings, and no idea what’s valuable and what’s not. Let me walk you through it step by step.
Take a Breath Before You Touch Anything
I say this to every family I work with: don’t rush. Grief makes people want to get it over with. I understand that. But I’ve seen families throw out items worth thousands because they didn’t know what they had. A few days of patience can save you real money.
Here’s what not to do right away:
- Don’t let a junk hauler in the house — they throw everything away, including valuables
- Don’t donate boxes without checking them — I’ve seen gold jewelry mixed in with costume pieces. If you’ve specifically inherited jewelry, our dedicated guide covers what to keep vs sell, and rare coins tossed in junk drawers
- Don’t let family members “just take what they want” without documentation — that causes fights down the road
How to Sort Inherited Antiques Room by Room
The easiest way to tackle a full house is to go room by room and sort everything into four piles:
- Keep — sentimental items or pieces you’ll actually use
- Sell — anything with real monetary value
- Donate — usable items that aren’t worth selling
- Discard — broken, worn out, or damaged beyond repair
The “sell” pile is where most families need help. That’s where I come in.
What Inherited Antiques Are Actually Worth Money
Not everything old is valuable. But some inherited pieces are worth a lot more than people think. Here’s a breakdown of what I see bring real money:
| Category | What to Look For | Typical Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gold jewelry | Stamps: 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K | $200 to $10,000+ |
| Sterling silver | Stamps: 925, Sterling, lion hallmark | $300 to $5,000+ |
| Fine china | Brands: Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Herend | $100 to $3,000+ |
| Antique furniture | Pre-1950, solid wood, dovetail joints | $200 to $15,000+ |
| Vintage toys | Pre-1980, original packaging, brand name | $50 to $5,000+ |
| Comic books | Pre-1975, Marvel/DC, key issues | $25 to $50,000+ |
| Coins | Pre-1965 silver, gold coins, key dates | $5 to $20,000+ |
| Art and paintings | Signed originals, known artists | $100 to $100,000+ |
How to Tell If Inherited Furniture Is Valuable
Furniture is the trickiest category. A dining table might be a $5,000 antique or a $50 reproduction. Here’s how to tell the difference:
- Check the joints — hand cut dovetails (irregular, slightly uneven) mean pre-1860 construction. Machine cut dovetails are post-1860. Staples or particle board? That’s modern and usually not valuable.
- Look at the wood — solid walnut, mahogany, cherry, and tiger maple are premium woods. Veneer over plywood is usually mid century or later.
- Flip it over — maker’s marks, labels, stamps, or handwritten notes on the underside can identify the builder and era
- Check for wear patterns — real antiques show uneven wear on feet, drawer runners, and armrests. Uniform “distressing” means reproduction.
For more on this, read our guide on caring for antique wood furniture.
Three Ways to Sell Inherited Antiques
1. Sell to an Estate Buyer (Fastest)
An estate buyer like Busby Antiques comes to the home, evaluates everything, and makes a single offer. No strangers in the house, no three day sale, no leftovers to deal with. This is the fastest option and works best when the estate has antiques, jewelry, silver, coins, or collectibles.
2. Hold an Estate Sale (Moderate Speed)
An estate sale company runs a public sale at the home. Good for everyday household items. The downside? Commission rates run 35% to 40%, and fine antiques are often priced too low. Read our full comparison of estate sales vs estate buyers for the details.
3. Auction Individual Pieces (Slowest, Highest Ceiling)
For single high value items — a signed oil painting, a rare coin collection, important jewelry — an auction house may get the best price through competitive bidding. But expect to wait 60 to 90 days for payment and pay 15% to 25% seller’s premiums.
The Tax Side of Inherited Antiques
Good news: inherited property gets a step up in cost basis under current IRS rules. That means the value resets to fair market value at the date of death. If your parent bought a painting for $500 in 1975 and it’s worth $5,000 when they pass, your cost basis is $5,000 — not $500. If you sell it for $5,000, you owe zero capital gains tax. Source: IRS.gov.
This is a big deal. It means selling inherited antiques soon after receiving them is usually tax free or close to it.
Common Mistakes When Dealing with Inherited Antiques
- Cleaning or refinishing furniture — stripping original finish from an antique can cut its value in half. Leave it alone.
- Polishing silver too aggressively — a light cleaning is fine, but over polishing removes patina that collectors value. See our guide on what sterling silver is worth.
- Assuming old means valuable — age alone doesn’t create value. Condition, rarity, maker, and demand all matter.
- Selling to the first person who calls — always get at least two or three offers
- Throwing away “junk” — I’ve found real gold in tackle boxes, rare comic books in attic boxes, and silver coins in coffee cans. Check everything before it goes to the curb.
When Multiple Heirs Are Involved
This is where things get complicated. When two or more siblings inherit a houseful of antiques, disagreements are almost guaranteed. Here’s how to keep things fair:
- Get a professional appraisal — the American Society of Appraisers can help you find a certified appraiser in your area. Typical rates run $150 to $250 per hour.
- Document everything with photos before anyone takes anything
- Use a neutral third party — having an estate buyer or appraiser assign values removes emotion from the equation
- Sell everything and split the proceeds — sometimes the cleanest solution is to let a professional buy the entire estate and divide the check
FAQ: What to Do with Inherited Antiques
How do I find out if inherited antiques are valuable?
Start with a free evaluation from a reputable buyer like Busby Antiques. We’ll tell you what’s worth selling and what’s not — no obligation, no cost. For formal appraisals needed for insurance or probate, hire an ASA certified appraiser.
Should I sell inherited antiques or keep them?
Keep what has genuine sentimental value and what you’ll actually use or display. Sell the rest while the market is strong. Gold is at record highs, and silver prices are solid. Items sitting in boxes in a garage aren’t doing anyone any good.
Do I have to pay taxes on inherited antiques?
In most cases, no. Thanks to the stepped up cost basis, if you sell inherited items at or near their fair market value at the time of death, there’s no capital gains tax. Check with your tax advisor for your specific situation. Source: IRS.gov.
Where can I sell inherited antiques near Orlando?
Busby Antiques serves all of Central Florida — Orlando, Oviedo, Winter Park, Winter Garden, and more. Call (407) 529-6952 or reach out online for a free in home evaluation.
Figuring out what to do with inherited antiques doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take it one room at a time, get expert eyes on anything that looks old or interesting, and don’t throw anything away until a professional has seen it.
