Antiques Roadshow expert delivers staggering £1m valuation of rare Scottish Cup
Antiques Roadshow: Scottish Cup valued at £1million
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In an episode of Antiques Roadshow, which aired earlier this year, Fiona Bruce took viewers to Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. During the episode, expert Geoffrey Munn was left stunned by one guest’s rare Russian royal jewels, while Ronnie Archer-Morgan was intrigued by a carved Māori feather box. However, Adam Schoon got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Scottish Cup, the world’s oldest cup, which he valued for a staggering £1million.
“For Scottish viewers, this has to be one of the most recognisable and important pieces of Scottish, historical silver,” Adam began. “The Scottish Cup.”
Turning to the guest, the expert continued: “Richard, you have kindly come from the Scottish Museum of Football, and you brought this cup to show us.”
Speaking about the importance of the cup, Richard explained: “The player in question was Andrew Watson.
“He is little known but is the world’s first black international football player.”
He continued: “He was a superstar in an emerging game in the 1870s and 1880s and he won this magnificent trophy no less than three times.”
Adam went on to ask Richard about Andrew’s background. He replied: “Andrew was from Ghana.
“He was brought over to the UK at a young age with his sister and he was very well educated.
“He was certainly from a wealthy background. By the early 1870s, football started to catch his attention.”
Richard explained Andrew was an all-around athlete and he went on to win many trophies for many athletic events.
He admitted other than the basic information, there is little else known about the sportsman.
The expert went on to plead with the viewers for any further information about Andrew.
Pointing to a photograph, Adam said: “Look there is Andrew at the back looking very fit. And of course, this is this cup which is just fantastic to see.
“We were very lucky in terms of the heritage that the museum has,” Richard said.
“This is the crown jewels, the Scottish Cup. It is the oldest trophy worldwide for the code of association of football.
“So, we are very grateful to have it. And it’s only, apart from today it only leaves the museum once every year.
“And that is for Cup final day for 25 minutes when it is still presented to the winning captain and then myself and my colleagues have to wait down outside of the dressing room of the winning team.”
The expert asked Richard how the lid of the trophy had worn away, to which he explained the cup had been “man-handled over the years”.
Discussing the value of the relic, Adam concluded: “I’ve got to put a value on this piece which was actually made in London in 1873.
“It was made by Martin Hall and Company. Very well-known makers.
“Should it go to auction it would make a figure of around £1million.”
Richard appeared to be lost for words as he nervously laughed and replied: “That is quite a sum and obviously for us, we are very privileged to look after it.”
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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