You might not realize it, but that dusty cast iron skillet tucked away in your grandmother's attic or sitting in the back of your kitchen cabinet could be worth a small fortune. I'm not exaggerating.

Almost 50 years ago, Marge and I were married in Hyannis, Nebraska. One of our gifts from Marge's parents was a No. 7 cast iron Wagner skillet. It wasn't a new skillet, but it was one that had been ...