Profiles In History, the big-time auction house, just released a new catalog that features what they claim is an authentic TOS Phaser with a starting price of 80 GRAND! While this seems unlikely to be true, you never know. I've done an analysis that's waaay too long to post here but you can see it here: ORIGINAL SERIES PHASER TO BE AUCTIONED OFF – REAL OR FAKE?
I can't see paying so much for any prop—assuming I had such disposable money—when much finer mock-ups are available for much less, and considering how difficult it would be to authenticate this prop. It's like people who pay exorbitant prices for an autograph; the whole point of an autograph is as a memento of having met someone. That's all the authentication needed, and the value of getting the autograph. Authentic phaser? Maybe, but I'd leave it for someone else more desperate for a piece of TOS. I'd rather meet any of the actors still with us, get an autograph and tell them, "Thanks for creating an iconic character" (who may have handled a phaser prop).
With all the fake "original" communicators that were sold, it was probably just a matter of time before fake "original" phasers hit the market. Even if this is an original, I wouldn't spend $20 on it.
I realize that the market will decide the price it sells at - but I really cannot see it going for 80K. Mind you, I've been wrong before...
Anything is possible but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it didn't get a single bid. Keep in mind that the auction house charges a "buyers premium" of at least 20% which means the ACTUAL opening bid is $96,000!!!
Yeah, I'm happy enough with my Art Asylum prop/toy. Around 25 bucks and it has features propmaster Feinberg could have only imagined when the series was filmed. Shoot, I've seen a link via YouTube where one can purchase after-market aluminium parts to make it look a bit more "real" like the Master Replica versions. Sincerely, Bill