Q.: Would like information on an old pocket watch, when it was made and its value. Inside the case of the watch it is marked Fahy's 14 karat monarch 5349955 made by American Waltham Watch Co, 15 jewels, serial number 7583185. I was given the watch in the early 1960s. I took it to a watch maker in Marietta. He replaced the main spring. The watch still runs to this day. - J.H., Lowell.
Answer: Joseph Fahys came to the United States in 1848 and opened a shop in New York City in 1857, where he made gold-filled and oresilver nickel watch cases from 1887 up to 1910. This answers your question, when the watch case was actually made, somewhere between 1887-1910.
Now comes the answer to your next question, when was the watch made. The Waltham Watch Co., also known as the American Waltham Watch Co., started out in Roxbury, Mass., in 1850. From 1851 up to 1885, the company operated under several different names. In 1885, it became the American Waltham Watch Co. up until it changed its name once again in 1907. So your American Waltham pocket watch along with the Fahy's gold case was made somewhere between 1887 and 1907. Without seeing the pocket watch and not knowing what condition the case is in and other factors, I can't give you a value. If you like, you can contact Jones & Horan Auctions. They specialize in buying and selling old pocket watches and can tell you exactly what your pocket watch is worth at auction, depending on the complete description you have now. Their telephone number is (603) 623-5314.
Q.: I have this old metal bank from the German National Bank of Marietta and wondered what it's worth. It has a slot for $5 gold pieces and also a slot for bills. The coins we have now doesn't add up to the values on the slots as they are different size. I also do not have a key for it. - B.W., Marietta.
A.: Interesting piece. Too bad you don't have the key for it. Without the key it's worth around $100 to a collector depending on the condition. With the key it would be worth much more,
Q.: I have a paper thin coin that looks like it's made of copper. It has a crest of some sort on one side and on the other side letters that I can't make out. The date is very clear, 1633. Is this a rare coin? - B.S., Marietta.
A.: I don't deal in coins, stamps, jewelery, or guns. You may want to contact Teletrade Coin Auctions. They specialize in buying and selling old coins and have set world's record in doing so. Their toll free number is 1-800-949-2646. Good luck in identifying your coin.
Auction prices
1910 postcard (of washed out bridge), Marietta, value $44.
Taxi driver badge, Marietta, value $35.
1800s Bank of Marietta $3 bank note, $45.
In next week's column tell you about a local item that had 20 auction bidders battling it out on eBay to own it. Readers, if you like you can check out my new antiques blog koonpublishingcompany.blogspot.com. See you back here next week.
Larry Koon's column appears every Monday on Life.
