Selling odds and ends sounds like the most boring employment in the world – unless you do it for Rares. In terms of worthless ramsch, real sensations keep hiding here. An inconspicuous piece of paper is amazed at the show: it was owned by one of the most famous people of all time.
Horst Lichter is flat: he doesn’t see such a treasure at BARES for Rares every day
When a couple from Bamberg appeared for Rares on March 7, 2024, they cannot guess that their object brought with them will cause a real sensation. Even Horst Lichter, who was able to marvel at the most exciting treasures in 13 years, is awesome. Behind it is a really exciting story.
Expert Dr. Bianca Berding explains what we are dealing with: The yellowed certificate turns out to be a letter of pardon from France more than 200 years old. The letter states that a prisoner will be released from prison if he is committed to military service.
Now the sensation: The letter was signed by Napoleon Bonaparte – probably the most famous emperor in history. He is considered one of the most ingenious generals of all time and made a significant contribution to changing European history sustainably. Horst Lichter can hardly believe it and interrupts the expert: “From which Napoleon? The first? Wow!”
The battle burns in the dealer room: the Napoleon treasure is so valuable
Expert Bianca Berding praises the certificate in the highest tones: “The state of preservation is very, very good. The ink here can still be read perfectly.” Because the document is “very, very rare” the expert estimates the Napoleon letter at 3,000 to 4,000 euros.
Best conditions for negotiating a good deal in the dealer room. Fortunately of the couple, all dealers are: enthusiastic about the Napoleon treasure on the inside. Antique dealer Friedrich Häuser hooks because he can hardly believe it: “If you tell us now that Napoleon has signed there, Then we are completely out of the house. “
The seller affirms and the bidding battle is burning. The first bid is already 400 euros-significantly higher than usual. In the end, jewelry dealer Susanne Steiger grabs the historical treasure. For a proud 5,000 euros!
TV & streaming: So you can see cash for rare for free
Cash for Rares runs Monday to Friday, at 3:05 p.m. on ZDF. Older episodes can be streamed for free in the ZDF media library.