are mate cups collectable?

Had these a while and curious.

 

The one on the left is gold mounted and no writing on it. The one on the right is silver mounted.

 

Some are. You can check eBay's Completed listings to see where collector interest lies. And you do know the writing says "Souvenir of Montevideo (Uruguay?)"

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...ver&_dmd=1&LH_Complete=1&_stpos=95204&_ipg=50

Debora

 

Yes, I knew the translation. I was going to peel the gold off to put in the scrap, but somehow could'nt bring myself to do it.

 

Good. Just wanted to make sure. I'd have the same dilemna -- to scrap or not. They're quite attractive and have a bit of age to them, I'd think. Not seen that shape before with centered button. Perhaps it's an Uruguayan thing.

Debora

 

To scrap or not to scrap, that is the question (homage to Shakespeare) It can be a dilemma. I have'nt scrapped anything for quite a while now, but I am not sentimental unless it is rare or beautiful.

 

Typically modern mate cups, especially those marketed as souvenirs, are made with alpaca not silver so, if you haven't already, you'll want to double, double check. If they were mine -- not that you asked -- I'd probably list the on eBay. And if there was no interest, I'd consider scrapping them (if metals were indeed precious.)

Debora

 

Thanks, but I have never sold anything on e bay. I don't even know how to access sold items. I would never usually buy anthing like this, but I thought they looked interesting. They will probably go back into the hoard. The metals are correct, as I test metals to double check, but so think I know I will be disapointed if I destroy them. They might do as a present for someone in the future. It is like peeling the silver off a knife handle and being shocked at how little silver there is. I remember I bought them from a young lady who seemed to be clearing inherited items and they were quite cheap. She was not a dealer, just having a clearout at a vide grenier.

 

Well, if you wish to check Completed listings on eBay, here is how to do it. Go to eBay.com. On the home page, click on "Advanced" next to the Search bar. On the Advanced Search page, enter your description (ex. vintage mate cup) where it says "Enter keywords or item numbers." Then scroll down to Completed listings and check box. Then click on "Search." What comes up will tell you how many have been on offer recently, how many of those sold and what their fuller descriptions were. Obviously, you're looking for cups that were the most like yours. As a next step, I always go back to the Advanced Search page, unclick "Completed listings" and do another search for current listings. That also gives me an idea of supply, if not demand.

Debora

 

I've read that the best ones are made of bulls' testicles.

I had one I really liked. Sold it on eBay for very little money. At that price I wished I'd hung on to it.

 

We have all done that at some time or another.

 

Thanks. I gave up on ebay quite a few years ago. I used to look and post on the antiquers forum but they started making it more and more complicated to access sites. It was like an intelligence test. Do any of the old boardies remember Wally "good grief"