People looking to part with their treasures for cold, hard cash in Bismarck had to wait at least a day.

Because of a snafu in the licensing process, the Treasure Hunters Roadshow was forced to turn away people Tuesday.

The show, scheduled to run through Sunday at the Doublewood Inn, could open today if granted a transient merchant's license from the state attorney general's office.

David Wright, manager of the show, said he secured the proper permit through the city of Bismarck but didn't realize the show needed to be licensed with the state as well.

"I don't know what got overlooked," Wright said.

A spokesperson from the city Tuesday said they issued the roadshow a second-hand dealer's license.

But the hang-up apparently came with the attorney general's office.

Missy Tesky, licensing administrator for the AG's office, said it was her understanding they had filed the required paperwork Tuesday to obtain the license. Tesky said if the requirements were met, a transient merchant's license could be issued sometime today.

The show is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Wright said the Treasure Hunters Roadshow, based in Athens, Ill., has regional teams that travel throughout the country buying for some 6,000 collectors.

He said they maintain a database for collectibles - everything from vintage guitars to coins and jewelry - and offer payment at the shows if the item fits the bill of what their buyers are looking to purchase.

With gold and silver at 40-year highs, Wright said many people are bringing in old or broken jewelry.

He said his team, which covers a region in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, conducts about 40 such shows a year.

Old pocketwatches, war and advertising memorabilia and old toys are other examples of items that collectors are interested, but Wright said as with most things, demand for specific types of items is cyclic.

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring at 250-8254 or brian.gehring@;bismarcktribune.com.)