What makes an ancient sword famous and expensive?

An antique sword is without doubt, very expensive. Due to its high value, most sword collectors prefer collecting replicas of these rare swords. These swords are quite inexpensive as compared to an antique sword. Despite the availability of sword replica, nothing beats the value and authenticity of real swords. Just what makes antique swords so expensive? Read on for more information.

Perfection

A rare antique sword becomes famous for its perfect forging and condition. An excellent example of this is the Sword of Goujian, a 500 BC Chinese bronze sword belonging to King Goujian who once ruled the ancient kingdom of Shanghai, China. Archeologists found it buried for more than 2,000 years in an underground water system together with the tomb of the King. Despite the condition of the sword, it stood as an embodiment of perfection. Its bronze blade remains unblemished and sparkling along with its sharp cutting edge. It can still easily cut paper, wood, or flesh in one swoop.

The Sword of Goujian is now considered a priceless antique sword and a national treasure of China.

Mythical Status

A rare antique sword often mesmerizes collectors for its being legendary as famously depicted in movies, stories, and tales. The expensive swords of Muramasa, a 16th century Japanese sword-maker, have spooky stories to tell. Their blades were believed to be made from iron, carbon, and human blood. Neighbors and passersby remarked that dead bodies were found sprawling on the street across Muramasa’s forge from time to time. These stories could sound doubtful in their truthfulness yet they helped establish the priceless value of Muramasa swords.

Reputation

The reputation of rare antique swords becomes famous because of its well known owner. An example of this element of reputation is the sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Prophet
Muhammad. Ali is famous for his participation in a Muslim-Jewish battle in western Saudi Arabia sometime in 627 AD. He challenged to a duel the general of the enemy’s army, a man who was believed to have the strength of a thousand warriors. With one clean slash of his sword, Ali struck and cut his enemy into two halves. Ali’s sword, a rare antique Arab scimitar, was henceforth called the Zulqifar, meaning the Spinecleaver.

Smith

Lastly, a rare antique sword becomes renowned for its well-known smith. The higher the quality of the antique sword then the higher is its value. The extremely expensive Masamune swords are highly esteemed for their exquisite beauty and restrained fatality. Expert opinions have placed these swords as the cream of the crop. The ingenuity and extraordinary skills of Masamune have greatly contributed to the perfection of Japanese sword craft.

The key to a highly renowned antique sword is the combination of sheer perfection, its mythical status, reputation, and fine sword craft. It may be considered as a hefty price to pay yet is also an investment as its value increasing over time.

From: http://www.antique-swords.net/antique-swords/why-antique-swords-are-expensive