In the Southern United States, officials have begum to notice people digging up graves in order to steal uniforms and other items that Confederate soldiers were buried in.

According to an article by the Augusta Chronicle, items stolen by grave diggers can be sold at a high price to antique collectors. A single button from the uniform of a Confederate solider can fetch up to $150. Full uniforms and service medals are sold between $500 to up to several thousands dollars. A sword used by a General can earn the grave digger between $20,000 to $30,000.

(More information about tomb raiding and grave digging for profit.)

Source: Wesley Brown, “Grave-looting part of new black market for artifacts,” Augusta Chronicle, April 26, 2013.