Introduction: Turning Inherited Treasures Into Informed Decisions
Inheriting an estate brings a mix of emotions. We know it, we’ve felt it, we see it all the time. Customers come to us with anticipation, grief, nostalgia, and often, uncertainty. When that estate includes jewelry, silver flatware, and coin collections, the question becomes: What do I do with all of this?
You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Many families in the Los Angeles area face the same challenge when settling estates in Palos Verdes, Torrance, Redondo Beach, and throughout the South Bay. The good news is that with the right knowledge and a trusted partner, you can honor your loved one’s legacy while making financially sound decisions.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selling estate jewelry, silver, and coins in Los Angeles. Whether you’ve inherited fine gold jewelry, sterling silver flatware, rare coins, or even broken gold chains, you’ll learn how to identify value, avoid common pitfalls, and work with experts who prioritize education over pressure.
At PV Estate Buyers by Palos Verdes Coin Exchange, we’ve spent over 25 years helping South Bay families navigate selling estate collections with transparency, expertise, and compassion. Our free appraisals and no-commission approach mean you get honest guidance whether you decide to sell today, tomorrow, or not at all.
It may be worth noting, we have an excellent relationship with Peninsula Seniors and have presented there multiple times. We enjoy working with the good people there a whole bunch! We work hard to ensure trust and transparency at every stage of the estate selling process.
We’re here to help you find the hidden value in your estate together.
Understanding Your Estate’s Treasures: Beyond Sentimental Value
The Diverse World of Estate Valuables
When people think “estate,” they often picture antique furniture or artwork. But some of the most valuable items are smaller, easier to overlook, and surprisingly lucrative, especially with the current market conditions:
- Fine jewelry (gold rings, diamond bracelets, platinum necklaces)
- Sterling silver flatware and hollowware (tea sets, serving pieces)
- Coin collections (rare coins, 90% silver coins, gold bullion)
- Scrap gold and silver (broken chains, single earrings, tarnished flatware)
- Bullion (gold bars, silver rounds, American Eagles)
Each category has unique valuation factors. A gold necklace’s worth depends on karat purity and weight. A coin’s value hinges on rarity, condition, and mint mark. Sterling silver flatware might be worth its weight in silver or significantly more if it’s a sought-after pattern.
The key takeaway: Don’t assume something is “just junk” because it’s tarnished, broken, or incomplete. With gold and silver prices at historic highs in 2025, even scrap metals carry substantial value. AND DON’T CLEAN IT. Well-intentioned cleaning often ruins the value of your item – especially coins.
Why Professional Appraisal is Crucial
Online calculators and price guides offer rough estimates, but they can’t account for:
- Condition nuances (a cleaned coin loses value; a well-preserved one gains it)
- Market fluctuations (precious metal prices change daily)
- Authenticity verification (counterfeit coins and jewelry exist)
- Hidden premiums (rare mint marks, designer hallmarks, collectible patterns)
An experienced numismatist and precious metals expert can spot these details in minutes. And these details could mean thousands of dollars in difference.
At Palos Verdes Coin Exchange, we offer free appraisals with no obligation to sell. Our staff isn’t paid on commission, so you get honest, educational guidance. Whether you’re in Palos Verdes Estates, Manhattan Beach, or anywhere in the South Bay, we’re here to help you understand what you have. We specialize in coins, but we can deal in all of it, and give you a fair understanding or price for what you have.
Learn more about our free appraisal process →
Decoding Estate Jewelry: From Heirlooms to Hidden Gems
What Makes Estate Jewelry Valuable?
Estate jewelry value comes from four main factors:
1. Metal Content
- Gold: Measured in karats (10k, 14k, 18k, 24k). Higher karat = more pure gold = higher value per gram.
- Platinum: Denser and rarer than gold, often more valuable per ounce.
- Silver: Sterling silver (.925) has intrinsic value; silver-plated items typically don’t.
2. Gemstones
The “Four Cs” determine gemstone value:
- Cut: Quality of faceting and proportions
- Clarity: Presence of inclusions or flaws
- Carat: Weight of the stone
- Color: Intensity and hue (especially for colored gems)
Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires command premium prices when certified by gemological labs.
3. Craftsmanship & Age
- Antique jewelry (100+ years old) and vintage pieces (20-100 years) can carry historical premiums.
- Designer brands (Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels) add significant value beyond materials.
- Handcrafted details and unique designs appeal to collectors.
4. Condition
- Well-maintained pieces with original clasps, settings, and stones intact are worth more.
- Repairs, missing stones, or heavy wear reduce value but don’t eliminate it.
When is Jewelry Considered “Scrap Gold” or “Scrap Silver”?
Not all inherited jewelry is destined for a display case. Sometimes, the metal itself is the treasure.
Scrap gold or scrap silver refers to items where the intrinsic metal value exceeds any collectible or aesthetic appeal:
- Broken chains or bracelets
- Single earrings (missing their pair)
- Outdated or damaged rings
- Bent or tarnished silver pieces
Here’s the important part: Even “scrap” can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, especially with gold prices hovering near all-time highs and silver experiencing strong demand in 2025.
How scrap value is calculated:
- Weigh the item (in grams or troy ounces)
- Determine purity (10k gold is 41.7% pure; 14k is 58.3%; 18k is 75%)
- Multiply by current spot price of gold or silver
- Apply a fair buyback percentage (reputable dealers like PVCE pay 85-95% of melt value, depending on market conditions)
Example: A broken 14k gold bracelet weighing 20 grams:
- 20g × 0.583 (purity) = 11.66g pure gold
- 11.66g ÷ 31.1 (grams per troy oz) = 0.375 troy oz
- 0.375 oz × $2,700/oz (hypothetical spot price) = $1,012.50 melt value
- At 90% buyback: ~$911 cash in your pocket
Don’t let broken or unfashionable jewelry sit in a drawer. Its value is real, immediate, and easy to unlock.
Ready to discover what selling estate jewelry could bring you? Contact PV Estate Buyers for a free, no-obligation appraisal →
Navigating Estate Silver: Flatware, Bullion, and Collectibles
Identifying Different Types of Estate Silver
Silver comes in many forms, each with distinct valuation methods:
Sterling Silver Flatware & Hollowware
What to look for:
- Hallmarks: “Sterling,” “.925,” or “925” stamped on the back of spoons, forks, knives
- Patterns: Some patterns (e.g., Gorham’s “Chantilly,” Towle’s “Old Master”) command premiums
- Weight: Sterling silver is sold by weight when there’s no collector premium
Common items:
- Flatware sets (dinner forks, salad forks, soup spoons, knives)
- Serving pieces (ladles, serving spoons, cake servers)
- Hollowware (tea sets, trays, bowls, candlesticks)
Important distinction: Silver-plated items (marked “EPNS” or “Silver Plate”) have minimal intrinsic value because they contain only a thin layer of silver over base metal. Sterling silver is solid .925 silver throughout.
Silver Coins
90% Silver Coins (Pre-1965 U.S. Coinage):
- Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars minted before 1965 contain 90% silver
- Often called “junk silver” in the trade (though there’s nothing junky about their value!)
- Typically sold by face value or weight
40% Silver Coins:
- Kennedy half dollars (1965-1970) contain 40% silver
Silver Dollars:
- Morgan Dollars (1878-1921) and Peace Dollars (1921-1935) are popular with collectors
- Common dates in circulated condition: sold near silver melt value
- Rare dates, mint marks, or high grades (MS-65+): significant numismatic premiums
Silver Bullion
Modern investment-grade silver:
- American Silver Eagles (1 oz, .999 fine silver)
- Canadian Silver Maple Leafs (1 oz, .9999 fine silver)
- Silver bars (1 oz, 10 oz, 100 oz)
- Silver rounds (privately minted, various designs)
Bullion is valued primarily by weight and purity, with small premiums for recognizable brands and government-issued coins.
The “Melt Value” vs. “Numismatic Value” Dilemma for Silver Coins
Here’s the honest truth that many coin shops won’t tell you upfront: Most inherited silver coins are sold for their melt value, not as collectibles.
Why?
- Common dates in circulated condition are abundant
- Condition matters enormously (a worn 1921 Morgan Dollar might be worth $25-30 in silver; an MS-65 example could fetch $200+)
- The market for common-date circulated coins is primarily driven by silver content
However (and this is crucial) some silver coins ARE worth significantly more than melt:
- Rare dates and mint marks (e.g., 1893-S Morgan Dollar, 1916-D Mercury Dime)
- High-grade examples (MS-65 or better, especially with CAC approval)
- Proof coins and special mint sets
- Error coins (double dies, off-center strikes)
How do you know the difference?
You don’t, unless you’re an expert. That’s why a professional appraisal is essential.
Critical warning: Never clean old coins! Cleaning destroys numismatic value. A cleaned rare coin might be worth only melt value, while the same coin in original condition could be worth 10-100x more.
At South Bay Silver, we specialize in evaluating inherited silver coins. We’ll tell you honestly whether your coins have collector premiums or should be sold for silver content. And you can rest assured, we pay top dollar either way.
Get your silver coins appraised by South Bay Silver experts →
Maximizing Value for Scrap Silver (Flatware, Jewelry)
Sterling silver flatware is one of the most common and most undervalued estate items.
Why sterling silver flatware is valuable in 2025:
Silver prices have surged due to:
- Industrial demand (solar panels, electronics, medical devices)
- Investment demand (inflation hedge, precious metals portfolios)
- Supply constraints (mining production challenges)
As of late 2025, silver is trading at multi-year highs, making your inherited flatware more valuable than ever.
How to identify sterling vs. silver-plated:
- Check for hallmarks: Look on the back of handles for “Sterling,” “.925,” or “925”
- Magnet test: Silver is not magnetic; if a magnet sticks, it’s plated
- Weight: Sterling silver is noticeably heavier than plated items
- Professional testing: We use XRF analyzers for instant, non-destructive verification
What about tarnished or incomplete sets?
Great news: Tarnish doesn’t reduce value. Sterling silver is sold by weight, so condition matters less than with collectibles.
Incomplete sets are fine, too. You don’t need a full 12-place setting. We buy:
- Individual pieces
- Mismatched sets
- Serving pieces only
- Damaged or bent items
Example valuation:
- 50 pieces of sterling flatware weighing 1,500 grams total
- Silver content: 1,500g × 0.925 = 1,387.5g pure silver
- 1,387.5g ÷ 31.1g/oz = 44.6 troy oz
- 44.6 oz × $30/oz (hypothetical spot price) = $1,338 melt value
- At 90% buyback: ~$1,204 cash
Don’t let tarnished silver sit in storage. Its value is immediate and substantial.
Have inherited sterling silver flatware or hollowware? Let South Bay Silver help you determine its true worth →
Valuing Estate Coins: From Pennies to Precious Metals
Key Factors Determining Coin Value
Coin collecting (numismatics) is a nuanced field where small details create enormous value differences.
1. Rarity
- Mintage numbers: How many were originally produced?
- Surviving population: How many still exist today?
- Example: The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent had a mintage of only 484,000, making it highly sought-after. And there are a ton of fakes out there. So have a professional check it for you before you get too excited.
2. Condition (Grade)
Coins are graded on a 70-point scale:
- Poor (P-1) to Good (G-4): Heavily worn, details barely visible
- Fine (F-12) to Very Fine (VF-30): Moderate wear, major details clear
- Extremely Fine (EF-40) to About Uncirculated (AU-58): Light wear, most details sharp
- Mint State (MS-60 to MS-70): No wear, uncirculated (MS-70 is perfect)
Professional grading services:
- PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)
- NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
- CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation): Green sticker indicates premium quality for the grade
Why grading matters: A 1921 Morgan Dollar in Good condition might be worth $30. The same coin in MS-65 could be worth $200. An MS-67 example? Potentially $2,000+.
3. Mint Mark & Date
U.S. coins were struck at different mints:
- No mint mark: Philadelphia / West Point
- D: Denver
- S: San Francisco
- CC: Carson City (highly collectible)
- O: New Orleans (closed 1909)
- W: West Point
- D: Dahlonega (1838-1861)
- C: Charlotte (1838-1861)
Certain date/mint combinations are rare and valuable (e.g., 1893-S Morgan Dollar, 1916-D Mercury Dime). There are a few others, but these are the main ones we see.
4. Metal Content
Precious metal coins have intrinsic value:
- Gold coins: Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins ($1, $2.50, $5, $10, $20 denominations)
- Silver coins: Pre-1965 U.S. coinage, silver dollars
- Platinum coins: Modern American Platinum Eagles
Even common-date gold coins trade at premiums above their gold content due to numismatic interest.
Common Misconceptions About Inherited Coins
Myth #1: “Old means valuable”
Reality: Age alone doesn’t determine value. A 1943 steel penny is 80+ years old but worth only $0.10-0.50 in circulated condition because millions were made. Meanwhile, a 1955 doubled-die penny (an error coin) can be worth $1,000+.
Myth #2: “Cleaning coins increases value”
Reality: NEVER clean coins. Cleaning removes original surfaces and patina, destroying numismatic value. A cleaned rare coin might lose 50-90% of its potential value.
If you’ve inherited coins, leave them exactly as they are.
Myth #3: “My coin book says it’s worth $X”
Reality: Price guides (Red Book, Blue Book) list retail prices for coins in specific grades. Your coins might be:
- Lower grade than you think (reducing value)
- Higher grade than you think (increasing value)
- Common dates with minimal premiums
Professional appraisal is the only way to know true market value.
Gold Coins: A Special Category
Gold coins deserve special attention due to their high value and complexity.
Types of gold coins commonly found in estates:
- Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins:
- Liberty Head (1838-1907)
- Indian Head ($2.50, $5, $10: 1908-1929)
- Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ($20: 1907-1933)
- These coins are 90% gold and carry both bullion and numismatic value
- Modern Gold Bullion:
- American Gold Eagles (1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz)
- Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
- South African Krugerrands
- Valued primarily by gold content plus small premiums
- Foreign Gold Coins:
- British Sovereigns
- French 20 Francs
- Swiss 20 Francs
- Mexican 50 Pesos
With gold prices near historic highs in 2025, even common-date gold coins are worth $300-$3,000+ depending on denomination and condition.
Have inherited gold coins? Palos Verdes Gold specializes in gold coin evaluation and offers free appraisals →
The Seamless Selling Process with PV Estate Buyers
Your Trusted Partner in Los Angeles
Selling estate items shouldn’t feel stressful or adversarial. At PV Estate Buyers and Palos Verdes Coin Exchange, we’ve built our reputation on transparency, education, and fair pricing.
What makes us different:
✅ No-commission staff: Our team is paid to help you, not pressure you
✅ Free appraisals: No obligation, no hidden fees
✅ Education-first approach: We explain what you have and why it’s valued that way
✅ Immediate payment: Cash, check, wire transfer, Zelle, PayPal, credit cards
✅ Flexible locations: Our shop, your home, or your bank for larger estates
✅ Confidentiality & security: Discreet service near the PVE Police Department
How the Process Works
Step 1: Contact Us
Call (310) 750-6951 or email pvcoinexchange@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.
No need to create spreadsheets or organize everything perfectly. We see that all the time, but please understand we’ll help you sort through items. It’s so much work and very often wasted time.
Step 2: Free Appraisal
Bring your items to our shop at 2562 Via Tejon, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, or we’ll come to you.
For larger estates or high-value collections, we offer:
- In-home appraisals
- Bank vault meetings
- Secure transport assistance
Appraisal timeframes:
- Small collections (a few items): 5-30 minutes
- Medium collections (dozens of items): 30-60 minutes
- Large estates (hundreds/thousands of items): 1-3 hours
We use state-of-the-art testing equipment:
- XRF analyzers (non-destructive metal testing)
- Precision scales
- Magnification and lighting for coin grading
- Access to real-time market data
Step 3: Education & Valuation
We’ll explain:
- What you have (materials, rarity, condition)
- Current market values
- Why items are valued the way they are
- Your options (sell now, hold, insure, donate)
You’re under no pressure to sell. Many clients come in just to learn about their inherited items. That’s perfectly fine with us.
Step 4: Sell or Walk Away
If you decide to sell, we’ll make you a fair offer based on:
- Current precious metals spot prices
- Numismatic premiums for collectible coins
- Gemstone values for jewelry
- Market demand for specific items
We pay immediately in your preferred method.
If you decide not to sell, we’ll provide documentation of our appraisal for insurance or estate settlement purposes (nominal fee for formal written appraisals).
Serving the Entire South Bay
We proudly serve families throughout the Los Angeles South Bay area:
- Palos Verdes Peninsula (Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates)
- Torrance
- Redondo Beach
- Manhattan Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- El Segundo
- Lomita
- San Pedro
- And beyond!
For large estates, we travel throughout Southern California.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if my inherited jewelry is real gold or silver?
Look for hallmarks stamped on the inside of rings, clasps of necklaces, or backs of earrings:
- Gold: “10K,” “14K,” “18K,” “24K,” or “417,” “585,” “750,” “999”
- Silver: “Sterling,” “.925,” or “925”
- Platinum: “PLAT,” “PT,” or “950”
If there are no markings or you’re unsure, bring items in for free testing. We use XRF analyzers that instantly identify metal content without damaging items.
Can I sell broken gold jewelry?
Absolutely! Broken gold jewelry is sold for its scrap metal value, which can be substantial—especially with gold prices near all-time highs in 2025.
We buy:
- Broken chains and bracelets
- Single earrings
- Bent or damaged rings
- Dental gold
- Gold watches (even non-working)
What should I do before bringing my estate items for appraisal?
DO:
- Gather any documentation (receipts, certificates of authenticity, appraisals)
- Keep items organized if possible (but don’t stress if they’re not)
- Bring everything—let us determine what has value
DON’T:
- Clean coins or jewelry (especially coins… cleaning destroys value)
- Remove items from protective holders or slabs
- Throw away anything without having it checked first
Do you buy silver-plated items?
Generally, silver-plated items (marked “EPNS,” “Silver Plate,” or with no markings) have minimal intrinsic value because they contain only a thin layer of silver over base metal.
We focus on:
- Sterling silver (.925)
- Fine silver (.999)
- Gold (all karats)
- Platinum
- Coins with precious metal content
However, some antique silver-plated items have collectible value. Bring them in and we’ll let you know honestly.
How long does an estate appraisal take?
It depends on the size and complexity:
- Small collections (a few pieces of jewelry, a handful of coins): 15-30 minutes
- Medium collections (a jewelry box, a coin album): 30-60 minutes
- Large estates (multiple collections, full flatware sets, extensive coin holdings): 1-3 hours
We work efficiently while being thorough. For very large estates, we can schedule multiple sessions or provide preliminary valuations followed by detailed cataloging.
What forms of payment do you offer?
We offer flexible payment options:
- Cash (for smaller transactions)
- Check (same-day)
- Wire transfer (for larger transactions)
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Credit cards (for purchases from us)
Payment is immediate once we agree on terms.
Do you provide appraisals for insurance purposes?
Yes! We regularly provide formal written appraisals for:
- Insurance coverage
- Estate settlement / selling estates / selling larger estates
- Probate documentation
- Tax purposes
- Divorce proceedings
Free verbal appraisals are always available with no obligation.
Formal written appraisals carry a nominal fee based on the time and complexity involved (typically $100-300 for most estates).
How do current gold and silver prices affect what you pay?
We base our offers on real-time precious metals spot prices, which fluctuate throughout the trading day.
For scrap gold and silver:
- We pay a percentage of current spot price (typically 85-95% depending on quantity and purity)
- Larger quantities often command higher percentages
For collectible coins and jewelry:
- Numismatic premiums are added above metal content
- Gemstone values are based on current market conditions
We’re transparent about our pricing. We’ll show you current spot prices and explain exactly how we calculate our offers.
What if I’m not ready to sell everything today?
No problem! Many clients:
- Sell some items and keep others
- Get appraisals for insurance purposes
- Return later when they’re ready to sell
- Use our appraisal to compare with other offers (we’re confident in our pricing)
There’s never any pressure. We’re here to educate and assist, not to push you into decisions you’re not comfortable with.
Conclusion: Your Estate’s Value Awaits
Inheriting estate jewelry, silver, and coins can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge and a trusted partner, you can make informed decisions that honor your loved one’s legacy while maximizing financial value.
Key takeaways:
✅ Even “scrap” gold and silver have substantial value in 2025’s strong precious metals market
✅ Professional appraisal is essential. Online estimates can’t account for rarity, condition, and authenticity
✅ Don’t clean coins or jewelry before appraisal (especially coins. Cleaning destroys value)
✅ Sterling silver flatware, broken gold jewelry, and common-date coins all have real, immediate value
✅ Work with experts who prioritize education over pressure
At PV Estate Buyers and Palos Verdes Coin Exchange, we’ve spent over 25 years helping South Bay families navigate estate liquidation with transparency, expertise, and compassion.
Whether you’re in Palos Verdes, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, or anywhere in the Los Angeles area, we’re here to help.
Ready to Unlock Your Estate’s True Value?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation appraisal:
(310) 750-6951
pvcoinexchange@gmail.com
2562 Via Tejon, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 5pm
Saturday, Sunday, Monday: By Appointment Only
Let us help you make the best decision for your family.
About PV Estate Buyers & Palos Verdes Coin Exchange
For over 25 years, Palos Verdes Coin Exchange has been the South Bay’s trusted local coin shop, precious metals dealer, and estate buyer. Our family of specialized services includes:
- Palos Verdes Coin Exchange – Rare coins, certified coins, numismatic expertise
- Palos Verdes Gold – Gold coins, gold bullion, investment-grade gold
- South Bay Silver – Silver coins, silver bullion, sterling silver
- PV Estate Buyers – Comprehensive estate liquidation services
Our commitment:
- Free appraisals, always
- No-commission staff (we’re here to help, not pressure)
- Education-first approach
- Transparent pricing
- Immediate payment
- Confidential, secure service
We’re proud to serve the communities of Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, and throughout the Los Angeles South Bay.