Selling silver is a viable way to generate extra income. Perhaps you’re looking to clear out some unwanted silver items such as sterling silver flatware or serving pieces. Cash for Gold USA offers a convenient way to trade in silver from the comfort of your home. 

Where to Sell Silver for the Best Price

Cash For Gold USA is a reputable online buyer of precious metals like silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. We’ve been in the precious metal recycling business for years, and have bought and sold more than $150 million in precious metals since our inception in 2005.

Additionally, we offer a Price “Beat” Guarantee: We will beat any competitor’s written offer or return your items to you free of charge.

Get your free, insured Appraisal Kit now:

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How Much Is My Silver Worth?

A big consideration for selling silver is the value, or current market price you will receive for your items. At Cash For Gold USA, the condition or appearance of your silver will not adversely affect your offer. Since a majority of the material we purchase gets melted down, refined, and recycled, we buy silver items of value regardless of how damaged, broken or unsightly they are. The amount we offer for your item(s) is based on the ratio of silver purity and weight.

In the U.S. market, silver items typically fall into one of four common purity grades:

  • Fine silver (.999, or 99.9% silver)
  • Sterling silver (.925, or 92.5% silver)
    We focus primarily on this grade of silver, as it is the most common and can be made into the widest variety of items
  • Coin silver (.900, or 90% silver)
    This includes “junk silver” coins that have no collectible value but were made with 90% silver
  • German silver (.800, or 80% silver)

The purity grade of a silver item can often be found stamped onto the piece somewhere. A sterling silver bracelet, for example, might be marked “sterling silver” or “.925.” In the event it is not marked, specialized testing can be done.

Examples Of Valuable Silver Items You May Have At Home

You may have valuable silver item(s) sitting around your home. Here are just a few things to look for.

Sterling Silver

Unlike soft pure silver, sterling silver is relatively durable and can be used to make all sorts of items. You might sell silver jewelry you never wear, or trade-in your worn sterling silver utensils to help fund a nice replacement set.

Besides jewelry, here are a few common items that contain sterling silver:

  • Silverware
  • Plates
  • Platters
  • Coffee and Tea sets

To help identify sterling silver, look for common markings that indicate the manufacturer or purity level. For example, sterling silver is often marked with 925, 900, or 800.

Here’s a list of common sterling silver flatware manufacturers: A pile of scrap sterling silver items

  • Alvin Silver – Labeled as “Alvin,” typically over a dragon emblem
  • Dansk Silver – Labeled simply as “Dansk”
  • Durgin Silver
  • Fine Arts Silver – “Fine Arts Silver” in a circular stamp
  • Gorham Silver – Company emblem includes an anchor and bear and the letter “G”
  • International Silver – noted as “International Silver” or “I. S. Co. Sterling”
  • Kirk and Smith – The words “Kirk & Smith
  • Lunt Silver
  • Oneida Silver – Either “Oneida Sterling” or “Heirloom Sterling”
  • Reed & Barton
  • Rosenthal Silver
  • Saart Brothers – Either labeled as “Saart Sterling” or “SB Sterling”
  • Tiffany & Company – “Tiffany & Company Makers”
  • Towle Silver – Emblem is the letter T with a griffin inside. May also be listed “Towle”
  • R. Wallace Silver – Very common brand with tons of different emblems such as “R.W. & S.” and “Wallace Sterling”
  • Wheelock Silversmiths – Will say “HandMade Sterling Wheelock Newport, R.I.”

“Junk Silver,” a.k.a. Coin Silver

Do you keep a piggy bank or loose change jar in your home? If so, you might have non-collectible “junk silver” coins made with 90% silver that can be sold for a profit above and beyond their face value.

Common American coins you can sell for cash value include:

  • 1878-1904 and 1921 Morgan dollar (90%)
  • 1892-1915 Liberty Head “barber” half-dollar (90%)
  • 1916-1930 Standing Liberty quarter (90%)
  • 1932 and 1934-1964 Washington quarter (90%)
  • 1942-1945 Jefferson “wartime” nickel (35%)
  • 1946-1964 Roosevelt dime (90%)
  • 1964 Kennedy half-dollar (90%)
  • 1965-1970 Kennedy half-dollar (40%)

To help you determine the value of your “junk silver” coins, you will need to weigh them, multiply that by the current spot price of silver, and apply the purity percentage to that total. Although this process may be time consuming, the thrill of the hunt can pay off dividends.

Scrap Silver

Even if it’s old, broken or in wretched condition, you can still get cash for silver by selling it as scrap. Things like snapped necklace chains, bent silverware, and even an unsightly pair of earrings you inherited from a well-meaning relative can fetch a nice return.

Flea markets, yard and estate sales, manufacturing facilities, and other public places often have scrap silver that is valuable.

We Do Not Buy Silver Plated Materials

While we are happy to accept your scrap silver and sterling silver, we do not purchase silver plated materials. These items are typically composed of copper, pewter, brass, and other base metals. A thin layer of silver is then added on top to enhance the appearance. As such, there is no melting value of the silver itself. To determine if your item is silver plated or sterling silver, look for a lack of markings, flaking, or green coloring. These are all signs of plating.

Testing Silver At Home

Before you sell your silver online, there are some ways you can confirm it’s real and estimate its purity.

  • Visual inspection: If the item’s purity has been stamped or marked on it, you should be able to find it with a visual inspection. Certain types of items tend to be marked in specific places, such as on the clasp of a necklace or the underside of a fork. Depending on the size of the item, the mark may be very small and require a magnifying glass to read.
  • Acid test: An at-home nitric acid test kit can approximate the purity of silver in just a few seconds. A few drops of nitric acid are placed on the material, and the acid changes color depending on its purity (cream = 90-100%, gray = around 80%, green = less than 75%, black = not silver). The estimates are broad and it relies on your perception of color, but this test can tell you if an item is genuine and kits typically cost less than $20.

Unfortunately, at-home testing methods cannot tell you the exact purity or value of your silver. The only way to determine this accurately is to have an expert test it with a specialized tool like an XRF analyzer. This impressive gadget aims an X-ray at the material and uses atomic-level measurements to determine which elements are present and in what amounts, to the nearest part per million.

As a result, many will forego the at-home testing process and send their silver to a reputable business like Cash for Gold USA. Our secured facility and expertly trained team will provide you a valuation and seamless experience.

How to Sell Silver Online: Our Process

Wondering how and where to sell silver or other precious metal items for cash? Here’s how the Cash For Gold USA process works:

  1. Fill out our short online form to request a free Appraisal Kit.
  2. Once you receive your FedEx label, just package up your silver, gold, platinum, and/or palladium items and use the provided label to ship it to us for free.
  3. Within 24 hours of receipt, our experts will evaluate the silver pieces and we will mail you a check for their determined value.
  4. If you are not satisfied with the amount of money you receive for your silver, simply notify us within 14 days of the check date. We’ll cancel the payment and your items will be returned to you at no additional charge.

As you can see, selling silver online and to an established buyer is a practical solution for many individuals. Although there are a myriad of considerations, having the right team and resources will ensure you make the best and most financially rewarding decision possible.

Cash for Gold USA has decades of experience buying silver and is here to help. If you have any questions, simply contact us today!

Silver FAQs

Do you have questions about selling silver? Browse these frequently asked questions for some helpful answers.

Can I get cash for selling silver?

Like gold, silver is a naturally occurring metallic element that has many uses and can be traded as a commodity. It’s desirable for a variety of uses due to properties like good conductivity and antibiotic tendencies. It’s commonly seen in the form of jewelry, flatware and coins. With silver prices rising, it is is an excellent time to take advantage of the markets and sell silver to an online buyer.

How much can I get for my silver?

Recently, the value of silver has been increasing, reaching historic highs in much the same way as gold. The amount you can sell your silver for depends on factors like the current market price of silver and the purity of the silver in your item. The value changes regularly, increasing and decreasing based on the demand.

What is the value of silver? How do I check its current price?

Per Kitco, the price of silver is $25.03 per ounce as of March 18, 2024.

In the last few years, the price of silver has increased by more than 20%. To check the current price of silver, search for it online or check directly from sources like Kitco.

What is the value of silver bullion?

Like gold bullion, silver bullion is pure silver that’s traded in the form of bars, coins, ingots or rounds. The value of silver bullion depends on its weight and the current market price of silver.

What is the price of silver per gram?

Per Kitco, the price of silver is $0.81 per gram as of March 18, 2024. Make sure you check the current price when you plan to sell.

What is the price of silver per ounce?

The price for one ounce of silver was $25.03 as of March 18, 2024. Make sure to check the current price of silver at the time you plan to sell.

What’s the best place to sell silver for cash?

Online buyers are often able to offer you more money for your silver items. At Cash For Gold USA, we offer the best silver prices with the quickest turnaround. We also provide free item shipping materials and make sure that you get the offer you deserve.

How can I tell if silver is real or fake?

When we talk about “real” silver, we’re referring to pure silver content. There are several ways you can determine whether a material is pure silver or not.

Here are a few simple tests you can run at home:

  • Check for a stamped marking on the item. This mark may be found on the back of a pendant or the inside of a ring. Most countries require retail silver to be marked like this.
  • Hold a magnet close to the item. Silver is not a magnetic material, so a real silver item won’t react to the magnet. If it reacts weakly, it may be made from an alloy with a magnetic metal.
  • Give your item a sniff. Silver has no odor, so a scent may indicate the presence of another type of metal.
  • Check for rust. When silver oxidizes, it tarnishes instead of rusting.

How do I read silver markings?

Similar to gold markings, silver markings are an indication of the amount of silver in an item. They may also include the name of the place they were made. Examples of common markings include:

  • 999: 99.9% silver, known as fine silver
  • 925: 92.5% silver, known as sterling silver
  • 900: 90.0% silver, known as coin silver
  • 800: 80.0% silver, known as German silver

If your silver item is not marked, we can use specialized testing to determine its purity.

How many grams of silver are there in an ounce?

Silver, like gold, is measured in a unit called the troy ounce. This type of ounce is slightly larger than a standard ounce. One troy ounce of silver is equivalent to approximately 31.10 grams of silver.

How do I sell unwanted silver?

There are multiple ways you can sell silver jewelry, bullion, coins, or other items. You can sell your silver to local buyers in jewelry stores, pawn shops, and brick-and-mortar cash-for-gold exchanges. For the best chance at a high price, consider selling your silver to an online buyer.

Can I make money from selling my silver?

Absolutely! You can almost always find a buyer for precious metals. So long as the amount you sell for is greater than the amount you initially paid for the item(s), you will be making a profit.

When is the best time to sell silver?

When selling precious metals, you want to try and sell at a time when the market price for the metal is high. As demand for silver increases, so will the price of silver. Conversely, lower demand will reduce the market price of silver. If you’re just cleaning out your drawers or getting rid of some old silverware, however, you might just sell it right away instead of holding onto it and waiting for a better price.

Should I sell my silver items for cash?

Online buyers like Cash for Gold USA can make you an offer for your material based on the weight and purity of your silver.

How do I sell silver jewelry?

There are many places that purchase silver (silver exchanges, pawn shops, etc.), but the easiest way to do it is to use an online jewelry selling service. You simply send your jewelry to be evaluated, then decide whether or not to accept the amount offered. At Cash for Gold USA, we will process your payment for your silver jewelry within 24 hours.

How do I sell silver flatware?

You can sell silver flatware like you would sell silver jewelry. Take it to an in-person silver buying location like a jeweler or pawn shop, or sell it online. If you want to compare lots of options, selling online will help you find the most buyers with the most competitive prices.

How do I sell silver bullion?

Like jewelry and flatware, silver bullion can be sold to a pawn shop, cash-for-gold exchange, jewelry store or online precious metals buyer. Bullion is usually 99.9% silver, so you should be able to sell it for some of the highest available prices.

How do I sell silver coins?

Silver coins can be sold to jewelers, pawn shops, silver exchanges, and other scrap metal buyers. If they’re in great condition and/or are especially rare, you might want to have them appraised to determine whether you can make more from selling it to a scrap buyer or as a collectible.

Examples of silver coins you can sell include the following:

  • Kennedy half-dollars
  • Franklin half-dollars
  • Washington quarters
  • Morgan dollars
  • Peace dollars
  • Liberty Head (Barber) quarters
  • Liberty Head (Barber) half-dollars
  • Liberty Head (Barber) dimes
  • Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) dimes
  • Standing Liberty quarters
  • Walking Liberty half-dollars

Where can I find gold and silver buyers near me?

You have several options when it comes to selling your silver for money. If you want to sell it locally to an in-person buyer, you can take your silver items to a silver exchange, jewelry store, or pawn shop. If you’d rather handle things from home and shop around for the best price, you can sell your unwanted silver to an online buyer.

Which online silver buyer should I sell to?

We are confident that we are the best silver buyer you’ll find online, because we offer more than our competitors, provide free shipping materials, and process payments to sellers within 24 hours.

Here’s how our process for selling silver works:

  • Fill out the form on our website.
  • We’ll send you shipping materials so you can mail your gold, silver, platinum, and diamond items to us for free.
  • Within 24 hours of receiving your items, we’ll have them appraised and send you an offer for their value.
  • If our offer meets your expectations we’ll process your payment. If you decide you don’t like the amount we offered, decline your offer and we’ll return your material to you free of charge.

About Cash For Gold USA

Cash for Gold USA is a prominent online buyer of gold, gold coins, silver, diamonds, platinum, and palladium in the United States. Since 2005, we have paid millions to thousands of customers for their unwanted or broken precious metal jewelry. We offer a quick and straightforward selling process, ensuring customers receive prompt and competitive offers for their items. Learn more about us and what our customers say about Cash for Gold USA, or request your free Appraisal Kit now:

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