Last updated · 2026-11-01
Where to sell silver
Coin shops, pawn shops, jewelers, refiners, mail-in buyers and bullion dealers compared, with what each pays as a share of melt value and the fees to watch for.
The best place to sell silver depends on what you have. Bullion coins and bars, sterling flatware, sterling jewelry and silver plate each have a different best buyer. Whatever you sell, start with one number: the melt value. Silver is at $49.25/ozt today, and sterling is worth $1.46/g in melt value.
Melt value $146.48. Likely cash offer $102.54 – $131.83.
Broken or unmarked pieces usually sell for melt. Get two quotes and compare them with the offer range above.
DocketYour tally
Add items to total everything you plan to sell, silver and gold together.
Rule of thumb: judge every offer against melt
Every buyer keeps a margin for refining and profit, so offers land below melt value. As a rough guide:
- 80–90% of melt or more is a good offer for sterling or bullion.
- 70–80% is typical for small amounts of scrap.
- Below 70%, get another quote before you accept.
Be wary of "up to" figures. One mail-in buyer advertises paying "up to" 85% for sterling jewelry and flatware (US Gold Buyers), but "up to" is a ceiling, not a promise.
Where to sell, by what you have
| You have | Best places to try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Silver bullion coins, bars, rounds | Local coin shop, online bullion dealer | They pay close to spot for recognized products |
| US dimes, quarters, halves dated 1964 or earlier | Coin shop | Sold by face value as "junk silver" at a known premium or discount to spot; rare dates are worth more |
| Sterling flatware | Replacement services or resale for good patterns; refiner, coin shop or jeweler for scrap | Complete sets in popular patterns can beat melt |
| Sterling jewelry | Jeweler, coin shop, refiner, mail-in buyer | Usually sold for melt unless signed or designer |
| Silver plate (EPNS, EP, A1) | Resale, thrift, or as tableware | Scrap buyers pay little or nothing for plate |
Not sure whether it is sterling or plate? See how to tell if silver is real and sterling silver flatware value.
Local buyers
Coin shops are usually the best local option for bullion and 90% coins, and many buy sterling too. Ask what percentage of spot or melt they pay; good shops will tell you.
Pawn shops pay cash on the spot but often at the low end. Use them to get a quick extra quote rather than as your first stop.
Jewelers may buy sterling for scrap, and can tell you whether a signed or antique piece is worth more whole.
Refiners that deal with the public pay for metal content after testing. They make most sense for larger lots.
Mail-in buyers
Mail-in buyers send a prepaid, insured shipping kit, test your silver and make an offer you can accept or decline. Check three things before you ship:
- Can you decline and get your items back free? The reputable ones say yes; get it in writing.
- How are you paid, and what does it cost? Fees can hide in the payment method. One buyer charges $5–25 to send a check by courier, and PayPal payouts lose 3.49% + $0.50 (Cash for Gold USA).
- How much insurance covers the package? Coverage limits vary, from about $25,000 to $150,000 at the buyers we checked.
A 2010 Consumer Reports test found mail-in companies offering far less than local jewelers and pawn shops for identical jewelry (AJC, 2010). The market has changed since, but the lesson holds: compare a mail-in offer with at least one local quote.
Online bullion dealers
Large online dealers buy back coins and bars, but often set minimums. JM Bullion, for example, requires at least $1,000 per sell order and charges $25 for a wire or $50 for a paper check, with ACH free (JM Bullion).
Selling it yourself
For sterling in a desirable pattern, a designer piece, or a set worth more than its silver, selling directly can pay best. Fees matter: eBay's final value fee for jewelry is 15% on sales up to $5,000 (eBay). Check sold listings first, then compare with the melt value above.