Ep 5. Mo' Monet, Mo' Problems

In the fifth episode of season 18 of Pawn Stars, titled Mo' Monet, Mo' Problems, the team at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas is back with another set of fascinating artifacts and memorable stories.

The episode begins with a customer bringing in a Picasso etching, which he claims to have obtained from art collector Peggy Guggenheim. The piece is signed by both Picasso and Guggenheim, and the customer believes it to be worth around $80,000. However, the team is skeptical of the piece's provenance, and they bring in an expert to examine the etching and determine its authenticity.

Next up is a famous photograph of Jesse James and his gang, which the customer claims was given to his family by James himself. The photograph is unique in that it is not a widely-circulated image, and it features several members of James' gang who are not typically seen in other photographs. The team is intrigued by the rarity of the photograph, but they also have concerns about its authenticity. They bring in a forensic expert to analyze the image and determine whether it is genuine.

The third item to come into the shop is a bronze sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin. The sculpture depicts a nude female figure, and the customer believes it to be worth around $40,000. However, the team is again skeptical of the item's authenticity, as Rodin is a notoriously difficult artist to authenticate. They bring in a specialist to examine the sculpture and determine whether it is a genuine Rodin piece or a clever forgery.

Finally, a customer brings in a Monet painting that he discovered in his attic. The painting is unsigned, but the team is convinced that it is a genuine Monet, as it bears all the hallmarks of the artist's style and technique. However, they still have concerns about the painting's provenance, as the customer cannot provide any concrete information about where the painting came from or how it ended up in his attic. They bring in an art historian to examine the painting and try to trace its history back to Monet himself.

As always, the team at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is ready to do whatever it takes to determine the authenticity and value of each item that comes into their shop. With their expertise, their knowledge of history and art, and their willingness to take risks, they are able to uncover the fascinating stories behind each of these rare and valuable artifacts. Whether it's a Picasso etching, a Jesse James photograph, a Rodin sculpture, or a mystery Monet painting, the team is always ready for their next challenge.