Just as you purchase a car and add on upgrades such as a sound system, antiques that have upgrades are worth more than one’s that don’t.” Pattie concludes that, “Everything that you add to an item increases its value. The carved ivory and scrimshaw models can sell for about $100 and higher. From $5 for a simple board with no add-ons, to complete sets of boards, rules, pegs and other add-ons auctioned for more than $100.

Apparently, there is no material than cannot be made into a simple cribbage board.īecause cribbage boards do come in all sizes, shapes and materials, the values received at auction vary as well. There are also boards made of wood, plastic, inlay, brass, ones with feet and others with colorful decoration. In pursuing WorthPoint’s Worthopedia of past auction values, there are any number of cribbage boards made of the most unlikely materials such as scrimshaw, walrus tusk, soap stone, ivory, leather, even one made from an antler. It’s always nice to have these extra add-ons.” “It also has a book of rules which was published in 1891. It’s like having an upgraded system in your house,” Pattie continues. In storing the decks, there are presses built in to keep the cards flat to keep them straight. “But when it’s turned over there is a door and some fittings and beneath the door there is storage for two decks of cards and the pins for marking the cribbage. “It’s just a simple cribbage board,” Pattie says. As an example, Pattie demonstrates the difference in value between a plain cribbage board and one that is mahogany inset with a brass panel he has in his collection.

There are cribbage boards, and there are cribbage boards. Thom Pattie, vice president and Chief Worthologist for, recognizes the cribbage board and card set as more than just a fun pastime, it also is an antique and collectible. It’s a card game, but most recognize it by the board used to keep score, known as the cribbage board. Cribbage is a game that is more than four centuries old.

Skrimshawed ivoty crib board tusk