All questions / Dolls, bottles and keepsakes

How much is an antique trunk worth?

Old steamer and flat-top trunks sell for decor; original hardware and labels matter. Trunks with heavy damage or missing hardware sell mostly as decor, for a modest price.

What sellers ask on eBay today

50 current listings, United States. Asking prices, not sold prices.

What to look for

Check what applies to yours:

Original hardware, leather handles and travel labels.
The interior tray and lining still in place.
A maker's label inside the lid; some luxury trunk makers are a world of their own.

Before you sell

Compare with items that actually sold, not only with asking prices.
Take clear photos in daylight: front, back, marks and any damage.
Do not clean coins, and do not repaint or polish old items: it often lowers the value.
For anything that might be valuable, get an opinion from a certified appraiser or a specialist dealer.

How we decide

We look up what sellers are asking on eBay right now for that kind of object. GOLD means half of the listings ask $50 or more. IT DEPENDS means $20 to $50, or a quarter of them ask $50 or more. OLD means less. These are asking prices, not sold prices and not an appraisal: condition, maker and model decide the real value. For anything valuable, ask a certified appraiser.