Comment by goodmythical

I mean, it only takes the cooperation of 4 parties to create an economic incentive in these cases.

One owner who knows the value but won't sell at that or any value, one willing to pay a thief less than that value, the thief, and a buyer willing to pay more than the thief was payed.

"Wow, the museum payed a million dollars for this? I'd be willing to pay 5."

"Oh? Suppose I know a guy who'll nick it? Now, it'd be stolen so I couldn't charge quite as much, but the guy takes his cut up front, so let's call it 2?"

"Really? Gee, that's a steal"

cue: looney tunes