50 | OCTOBER 5 • 2023 J
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rmand Keywell 
describes the start 
of his interest 
in collectible coins as a 
10-year-old advised by 
his grandfather. He buys 
and sells coins and will be 
available for that Oct. 7-8 at 
a Michigan Antique Festival 
being held at Springfield 
Oaks County Park in 
Davisburg. 
The start of his interest 
happened as grandfather 
and grandson were at a 
supermarket, Keywell 
explained. He was told to 
check the returned coins 
slot on a money exchange 
machine because there could 
be remaining coins people 
did not claim as the machine 
was not able to carry out an 
exchange. 
In checking those slots 
as time went along, he said, 
there were coins with value.
Working through the 
web, Keywell added other 
collectibles to his interest, 
and he started going to 
garage sales to see what else 
he could find. Part of his 
training has been working 
at a pawn shop, buying and 
selling used objects.
This will be Keywell’s 
second year of participation 
at a Michigan Antique 
Festival. His entry into the 
festival was at the suggestion 
of a friend who marketed 
items at these events. 
Keywell first visited antique 
shows when he was in his 
teens.
“I’ll be having a bunch of 
toy cars, costume jewelry, 
vintage and rare coins and 
currency and other antiques 
and cool stuff,” said Keywell, 
26, a Detroiter who also 

finds objects at antique 
auctions and on the web.
Concerning items with 
Jewish content, Keywell 
explained that he sometimes 
locates and offers aged coins 
that fit into that category.
Keywell said he learned 
about marketing from 
a grandfather who sold 
audio recordings. Although 
Keywell just left pawn shop 
work after six years of 
handling what was brought 
into the shop, he said the job 
let him acquire experience in 
buying and selling.
If holders of antiques 
approach him at the 
upcoming show, he will be 
glad to let them know how 
they can get appraisal help 

through the web. Sometimes 
that involves working 
with pictures and finding 
equivalents.
The festival will offer 
varied antiques through 
dealers using five buildings. 
There also will be a vintage 
car show and entertainment. 
Keywell will be among 
dealers offering furniture, 
housewares, vintage clothing 
and unique jewelry. The 
festival provides staff to help 
buyers carry heavy finds to 
their vehicles.
“I like the variety of 
vendors and people at the 
antiques festivals,” said 
Keywell, who grew up in 
Dexter, Michigan, and went 
to Dexter High School. 

“There are so many different 
items you can come across 
and buy. You can walk 
around and window shop 
and see a lot of cool stuff.
“I’ve learned that it doesn’t 
matter how old something is. 
Age doesn’t always affect the 
price. It just depends on the 
item being offered. I’ve also 
learned that one man’s junk 
is another man’s treasure.”
Keywell, who is single 
and said he has attended 
programs at different 
synagogues, advises antique 
holders to do a little research 
before deciding to discard 
what is owned. There are 
those rare times that have 
people discovering that an 
artifact actually has value. 
“I will be set up in 
Building 22, which is like a 
barn,” Keywell said. “I will 
have a 30-foot space with a 
bunch of tables. I can put 
people on a watch list and 
keep an eye out for what they 
are seeking.”
Keeping what he has found 
is a temptation for Keywell, 
who is fascinated by the 
possible stories that go along 
with particular artifacts. If 
he is buying a group of items 
that he thinks will sell, he 
tries to keep one of them. 
 

ARTS&LIFE
ANTIQUES

Rare Finds

Discover valuable coins and 
collectibles at the Michigan 
Antique Festival.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Details
The Michigan Antique 
Festival will be held 8 
a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 
Oct. 7, and 9 a.m.-4 
p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at 
Springfield Oaks County 
Park, 12451 Andersonville 
Road, Davisburg. 
$10 admission. 
(989) 687-9001.

Armand 
Keywell