http://news.yahoo.com/student-leaves-172-000-violin-philly-bound-bus-104137675.h...

As a musician, this hurts.  Admittedly careless, but sad nonetheless.  Hopefully someone will return it.  Not sure how you could fence something like that.

Back in 1990 I had to go into downtown Miami (daytime) and walk some distance with my precious Ruck classical guitar.  Looking behind me & all around at all times, and clutching the case handle very tightly.  A very nervous walk. 

We had a saying back then, "Steal my car, but not my guitar."

In those days, it was worth only about $1,000.  Today, if I still had it, it would be worth $15-20,000.  I sure would never do that again. 

An instrument like that violin is really amazing.  You don't get the full impact when it's buried in an orchestra, but face to face, that's another story.  I once had the pleasure, more like an honor, to hear a Stradivarius played literally in my face at a friend's house.   That's why they're worth so much.   They're rare, and sound incredible.

Good luck on getting it back.

It's very fortunate that they were able to get it back. To be fair though, it's hard to pawn something that rare when it comes under such high alert.

I'm glad they realised the value of the instrument was less than the value of music it can make in the right hands.