Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison fails to make a deal for a gold KISS record as the guest won’t budge (marketrealist.com)
Rick Harrison Fails to Seal the Deal on Gold KISS Record, Guest Stands Firm
In a rare turn of events at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, “Pawn Stars” honcho Rick Harrison couldn’t quite seal the deal on a gleaming gold record from the legendary rock band KISS. Despite his usual negotiating prowess and a fondness for music memorabilia, a stubborn seller and a difference in valuation kept this piece of rock ‘n’ roll history off the shop’s shelves.
The item in question was a gold record commemorating KISS’s debut album, signifying sales of over 500,000 copies, and remarkably, signed by all four original members of the band. The seller, who inherited the item from his uncle who once worked for KISS’s printing department, claimed the record label president himself gifted the signed album. The signatures, dated 1993, were clearly visible on the glass.
The seller initially valued the gold record at $3,000 but expressed a willingness to part with it for $1,500. Given KISS’s iconic status in the 1970s, known for their explosive stage theatrics, chart-topping hits, and a legion of face-painted fans, the item certainly held significant appeal.
Before making an offer, Harrison, ever the cautious businessman, brought in long-time authentication expert Steve Grad. Grad, a self-proclaimed massive KISS fan from his younger days, meticulously examined the signatures.
Using a magnifying device, he confirmed the golden ink signatures were indeed “live” and not printed. He then compared them to known examples of the band members’ autographs, ultimately concluding their authenticity.
However, Grad’s valuation came in lower than the seller’s expectation, placing the item’s worth between $1,200 and $1,500. Harrison’s initial offer of $700 gradually climbed to $1,050.
But the seller held his ground, refusing to accept anything less than $1,300. As a result, no deal was struck, and the gold KISS record walked out the door, leaving Harrison without a new addition to his collection.