Confederate sword donated to Goodwill sells for $17250 at auction

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Sometimes history turns up in the most unexpected places. In 2016, a Confederate naval sword was found among the donations at a Goodwill drop-off site in Franklin County, Virginia. Instead of putting it on a store shelf, Goodwill sent it to auction to raise money for its programs. Bidders competed online, by phone and in person, and the winning bid, placed over the phone, came in at $17,250.

Why Confederate Naval Swords Are So Rare

Confederate ironclad warship
The Confederate Navy was small, so its officers’ swords are some of the rarest Civil War relics.

The Confederacy started the war with almost no navy. It had to build or buy ships from scratch, and its officer corps was small compared to the army’s. Many naval swords were made in limited numbers in the South or imported from England through the blockade. Because so few were made, and many were lost, surrendered or destroyed, a genuine Confederate naval officer’s sword is a prize for any collector. That is why a single sword can bring a five-figure price.

The Value of Civil War Relics

Lithograph of Civil War soldiers in a bayonet charge
Swords, bayonets and other edged weapons from the war are highly collectible.

Collectors look at several things when valuing a Civil War sword: who made it, whether it is clearly Confederate, its condition and, above all, whether it can be tied to a specific owner or battle. A sword with a known history, called provenance, can be worth many times more than an unidentified one.

If You Find an Old Sword

Many valuable relics are still tucked away in attics, barns and closets across the South. If you come across an old sword, flag or uniform, here are a few tips:

  • Do not clean or polish it. Removing old finish or patina can lower its value.
  • Look for markings, initials or engraving and note any family stories about it.
  • Have it examined by a reputable appraiser or auction house that specializes in Civil War items.
  • Consider sharing it with a local museum or historical society so its story is preserved.

Read more about the weapons of the war in The 5 Most Lethal Weapons of the US Civil War, and browse our Confederate flag collection.

Source: Roanoke Times: Confederate sword donated to Goodwill sells for $17,250 at auction

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