#Insights #Auction #Sales #Rolex #Watches #Corvette #WorthPoint
Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, enjoys watching the items sold at auctions held by our WorthPoint Industry Partners. We thought it would be a great idea for him to select some of his favorite sold items and explain why those sales stood out to him. Gaining insights from Will is an excellent way to learn about buying and selling trends in our industry. We want to empower you to buy and sell with confidence. Take a look at his thoughts on a few of our partners’ recent sales.
On February 9, 2025, WorthPoint added 292,822 items, with a total value of $16,335,138, averaging about $55.78 per item. Today’s auction features a lot from an estate liquidation, including vehicles, gold, silver, coins, and jewelry. What’s interesting is the few collectible gems tucked in between—offering something extra for those with an eye for unique finds. Here are my top picks of the day.
Rolex Ice
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a statement piece that combines luxury with a little sparkle, this Rolex Men’s Datejust Iced Out Diamond Rainbow Watch might just be your ticket. It recently sold for $16,312.50 at Florida Estate Sales, and it’s easy to see why. The watch features a stunning rainbow dial with sapphire indices, fully encrusted with diamonds totaling around 2.00 carats—not to mention the crystal glass that gives off that ice-like shine. Add a stainless steel Jubilee band, and you’ve got a showstopper. Prices for similar models on eBay range from $13K to $28K, so picking this one up locally from a trusted auctioneer seems like a steal. Plus, it comes with the original Rolex box, making this deal feel like a win in every way.
A Prince of a Deal
On the other hand, a vintage Rolex Prince at auction is always a fun change of pace, and this one didn’t disappoint. It sold at Barsby Auctions for $7,800, which seemed to hit the sweet spot for its value. Estimated to be from around 1930, this 9K gold beauty features a 15-jewel manual-winding Rolex Prima movement—still running strong when tested. It was awarded to a secretary of the Cobden Lodge (likely part of the IOOF, or Odd Fellows), with an engraving on the back that reads, “Presented to Bro. J.H. Till in appreciation of services as secretary 1929-1939.” With a case width of 20mm and a bracelet that measures 20cm, this little gem is as charming as it is historically significant, making its auction price feel just about right.
A Time to Drive
In the automobile department, a 1977 Corvette recently went for a surprisingly low $8,510 on CTBids. The listing didn’t offer much, just a VIN and the mention of 218,359 miles—which, let’s face it, is a lot of miles. Still, the car looked to be in great shape, almost as if it had been rebuilt, especially with how clean it was under the hood. The kicker? There were no interior pictures, which raised some questions. When buying used cars, my rule is to go for those from estate liquidations—they’re typically well cared for, as people tend to treat these vehicles like they’ll last forever. It could have used more details, but it certainly seemed like a steal at that price. (Though the listing did mention a “price adjusted after auction close.”)
Top it Off with a Hat
A few real gems popped up in the collectibles section, like this rare Irish constable’s helmet from 1912, which sold for $1,278.49 at North Coast Auction Rooms. This stunning antique Royal Irish Constabulary helmet once belonged to Head Constable Michael Crowe, who served in Kerry, Cork, and Leitrim before tragically passing away on June 21, 1912. The helmet still has service number 42948 inside, making it not only a piece of history but also a personal artifact tied to a real story.
Rare and Historical
To wrap things up, eBay recently saw an 1851 $50 NGC graded XF40 Humbert CA Gold Slug sell for $47,000. These coins don’t come up often, and this seemed like a reasonable price given their rarity and historical significance. The coin features the 1851-dated Humbert obverse with “880 THOUS.” on the banner, a “target” reverse design, and a reeded edge. Given its scarcity and condition, this piece is a solid choice for collectors looking to make a worthwhile investment.
Will Seippel is the founder, president, and CEO of WorthPoint. Will has been an avid collector since 1974 and dealer of just about all things antique—with an emphasis on ephemera— since 1984. He is also the creator and founder of HIP, a website devoted to recording the best of the world’s history that has been saved on film.
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