So, how popular are Pawn Stars? They just had a major criminal case in the Denver, CO area named after them:
From the Denver Post: Two Aurora men have been indicted for allegedly stealing and reselling expensive jewelry, diamonds and watches, the Colorado Attorney General's office said Wednesday.
Karen Gasparyan, 31, and Mohinder Grover, 63, the owner of the Gold Exchange at 3140 S. Parker Road, face felony charges including check fraud, theft and forgery.
They are accused of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act and engaging in a pattern of racketeering.
The Gold Exchange is a franchise and only Grover's Aurora store is involved in the indictment, according to authorities.
The Aurora Police Department, the FBI and the Cherry Hills Village Police Department were all involved in the investigation code-named "Pawn Stars." http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25232356/pawn-stars-probe-nets-two-colorado-men-theft
So, Karen Gasparyan is a guy. Didn't the parents ever hear of the record by Johnny Cash and "A Boy Name Sue"?
In the first episode, the story line was Corey reading reviews online and it frustrated Corey and Rick. The reviews supposedly said they had to wait a long time to get service and employees calling each other names on the sales floor. So, Rick brought in a guy to talk about sensitivity training/better customer service. In the end, Chumlee wrote an online review praising himself.
The first guy had a rock crawler mini monster truck for sale and Rick went to look at it out in the desert. http://www.lasvegasrockcrawlers.com/
They met out by Nellis AFB, by I-15. Rick has been roc crawling many times and had some interesting experiences. They took it for a ride in the desert. Rick offered $35,000 and the guy asked for $50,000. Rick went to $41,000 and that was the sale price.
The next guy brought in a game worn Dallas Cowboy uniform of Bob Hayes. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/09/19/hayes_obit_ap/
The guy wanted $10,000. Corey demanded to know how the seller knew it was Hayes. Time for an expert. Jeremy came in to look at the jersey. He said because of the time the uniform was made and when Hayes played as a rookie, it wasn't the uniform Hayes wore. He did say that it was a real Cowboy uniform from 1962 and was worth about $250. Corey wasn't interested so there was no sale.
The next guy came in with an old drive in movie theater speaker. The guy wanted $300 and Corey offered $100 and then $110 and that was the deal.
Las Vegas still has a drive in: http://www.westwinddriveins.com/westwind/index.php?r=drivein/location&idtheater=614
The next guy came in a 1809 $5 gold coin. The guy wanted $31,510 and Rick had to do his research. Rick offered $27,000 cash and then $26,00 and was firm. The guy went down to $27,000 and there was no sale.
In the 2nd episode, the story line was Chumlee wanted a raise. Rick told Chumlee to write the good themselves about himself and what he needed to work on. Corey also had to write one as well. Chumlee made up a list of his qualities but Rick turned it around and said they were his weak points.
Chumlee tried to have a 50% sale on some items.
The first guy brought in 1970 Siffert Heur Autavia wrist watch. https://www.manoftheworld.com/blog/vintage-watch-wednesday-jo-siffert-and-heuer-autavia The band was replaced but had a paper with the serial number on it. The guy wanted $12,000. Rick offered $7,000 and then $8000 and that was the deal and then Rick went to the back of the shop to make sure it's real. Rick said he could not get the back of the watch off but still kept his word and bought the watch.
The next guy brought in a Masonic sword from the 19th century. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0161.html
Rick said the sword was not a Masonic sword. It turns out that it was a Knights of Columbus sword. http://www.kofc.org/en/
Rick didn't want to buy it.
The next guy brought in a Gibson Master Museum SJ acoustic guitar. The serial number was #1. The guy wanted $50,000. Time for an expert, Jesse. Jesse played the guitar and it sounded pretty good and said it was the Rolex of Gibson Guitars. He said it was worth $50-60,000. Corey offered $40,000 and then $43,000 and then $45,000. The owner stood still at $48,000 and that was the sale price. Then the seller had second thoughts and backed out even when Corey offered $50,000 and showed him the money.
And that was the end of the show, with Chumlee making a fool of himself.
Thanks for reading and sorry again for being so late again.
That was a "Masonic Sword". More specifically, a Knights Templar Sword. The Knights Templar degree is the highest degree in the York Rite of Freemasonry. I have noticed that Rick quite often passes on items of value. This sword, from what I remember, was in great condition. The date suggested that it would have been worth at least $2500. This is at the low end of value. To the hundreds of Knights Templar Commanderies in the US and Canada an older Templar sword in good condition often is sought after. My Commandry purchased a similar, newer, sword last year for $3200 and it was considered a great deal. Less ornate swords can be found for much less and the value range is typically around $100-$200 for more modern examples and $500-$4500 for less common examples.
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