Duke’s Auctioneers next free valuation morning will be held on Thursday, October 18.

Silver and jewellery specialists together with a team of general valuers will be on hand between 9.30am and 12.30pm to provide free, no obligation valuations of silver, gold, jewellery, watches, objet d’art and coins for possible auction sale.

Robert Nevin, silver consultant at Duke’s, explains why it may pay to take advantage of this free service: In our sale last week we had an excellent collection of gold coins such as sovereigns, guineas and American, Canadian and Australian dollars and all told the section grossed well over £36,000, greatly helped by strong bullion prices and demand for these items as presents.’ Duke’s jewellery and silver valuation mornings so far this year have proved a great success. Amongst items consigned by clients pleasantly surprised at the unknown value of their ‘treasures’ was a set of four silver candlesticks sold for £3,600, an 18th century fine sapphire and diamond dress ring which realised £1,900 and a canteen of silver cutlery which made in excess of £1500.

Mr Nevin notes: ‘Our next silver and jewellery auction will be held on the 6th and 7th December which is always well attended, particularly in the jewellery section.”

Duke’s final valuation morning of 2012 will be held at their Fine Art salerooms in Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester on October 18 between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Please contact the saleroom on 01305 265080 for more information.