Most people have at least one drawer, box, or shelf full of things they’ve inherited, forgotten about, or simply never bothered to look into. What surprises many of our customers is that some of those overlooked items are worth far more than they’d expect.

Here are five categories of items that people frequently discover are worth real money at a Premier Gold Silver & Coin roadshow.

1. Grandma’s Silverware Set

That heavy flatware set stored in a velvet-lined box? If it’s marked “Sterling” or “925,” it’s real silver — and depending on the weight, it can be worth hundreds of dollars. Many families have sets sitting in closets or storage that haven’t been used in decades. Sterling silver holds genuine metal value regardless of its condition or whether the pattern is still popular.

2. Old U.S. Coins

Not all coins are rare, but many older U.S. coins have value simply because of their silver content. Dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollars minted before 1965 are 90% silver. Even coins in average circulated condition can be worth several times their face value based on silver prices alone. Some dates and mint marks carry additional collector premiums on top of that.

3. Broken or Mismatched Jewelry

The necklace with a broken clasp. The single earring. The ring that no longer fits. People often assume that damaged or incomplete jewelry has no value — but gold is gold, regardless of its condition. If it’s stamped 10K, 14K, or 18K, it has real metal value. Our buyers purchase broken and mismatched pieces regularly.

4. Old Watches

Vintage watches — especially certain Swiss, American, and Japanese brands — have developed strong collector markets. Even watches that no longer run can be worth significant money based on brand, movement, age, and condition. If you have old timepieces sitting in a drawer, it’s absolutely worth having them evaluated.

5. Foreign Coins and Currency

While most foreign coins aren’t silver, some older international coins do contain precious metals. Additionally, certain foreign notes and coins have developed collector followings independent of metal content. If you have a jar of foreign coins from travels abroad or inherited from a relative, bring them in — you may be pleasantly surprised.

The Best Way to Find Out What You Have

The only real way to know if something is valuable is to have it looked at by someone who knows what they’re doing. Our buyers evaluate these types of items every single day. Bring in whatever you’re unsure about — the evaluation is free and there’s no obligation to sell. Click here to view our full event schedule.