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Pawn shops are ready to pay thousands for these 11 regular items — do you have them?

You can make good money selling or pawning vintage items or other items in good condition.
UPDATED NOV 19, 2024
Representational photo of a pawn store in Las Vegas | Cover Image Source: Getty Images/ Randy Faris
Representational photo of a pawn store in Las Vegas | Cover Image Source: Getty Images/ Randy Faris

Check out this selection of the top things you didn't know you could pawn.

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The host of "Pawn Stars" which has grown in popularity among reality TV shows (Image source: Pawn Stars)

Have you ever sat back and watched an episode of Pawn Stars and thought, "I bet I could get good money for my old stuff?" While you may not have the exciting finds that command hundreds or thousands of dollars at pawn shops, you may have things lying around that are worth something. Check out this selection of the top things you didn't know you could pawn.

A pawn shop
Representational image showing a Pawn Shop (Source: Unsplash/Acton Crawford)
Whether you're planning on selling your vintage or other items outright or you need a temporary loan, a pawn shop may be the answer. It isn't the most efficient way to secure a loan, but it's an option. You can leave the item with the pawn broker in exchange for a loan amount, and if you repay it in time, you get the item back.
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Representational image showing a user looking up products on eBay (Image source: iStock)
A pawn shop may not pay you as much for your stuff, but they take the hassle and time out of the equation.

1. Obviously, rare stamps can be a valuable item to pawn.

Ben Franklin stamp listed on eBay for $4,500.
An image online showing rare stamps for sale (Image source: eBay)
If you possess some of the rarest stamps, you could get a good amount of money at a pawn shop or by selling to a collector. For example, a Ben Franklin 1-cent stamp is listed for thousands of dollars on eBay (up to $36,000).

2. Jewelry and watches can be worth a lot

A vintage pocket watch
Representational image showing a vintage watch (Image source: Unsplash)
Although it may not come as a surprise, remember that jewelry and watches can be among the most valuable items to sell or pawn. A number of factors influence the resale value, such as the gemstones included, the age of the jewelry, the rarity of the items, and whether they were owned by someone noteworthy.

3. Precious metals can fetch a nice pawn or resale price

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Representational picture of a pawn shop accepting precious metals (Image source: Unsplash/Osman Rana)

Scrap metals are often valuable at pawn shops. You may have precious metals, whether they were once part of jewelry or not. Gold, silver, and platinum are some of the top-value precious metals.

4. Gaming consoles and equipment

Gaming controllers
Representational picture of vintage gaming titles on sale (Image source: M&S Variety & Pawn Shop Facebook)
If you have old gaming consoles, controllers, or related equipment, pawn shops and gaming stores may give you good money for them. The better their condition the higher the value, especially if they're still usable.

5. You can pawn firearms that are registered to you

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Representational picture showing an old pawn shop buying firearms (Image source: iStock)
Many pawn shops are looking for firearms to buy from you, so if you have firearms legally registered to you, you can pawn or sell them.

6. You can pawn electronics or resell

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Picture showing discarded electronics (Image source: iStock)
Pawn shops often buy electronics, especially if they're in great condition and of top brands. Maybe you have some old TVs, laptops, e-readers, and other electronics that you don't need. Try the pawn shop or list them on Facebook Marketplace to make some cash.

7. Games may be a fun item to pawn or sell

games
Games for sale at a pawn shop (Image source: M&S Variety and Pawn Shop FB)

While these might not be the top-dollar sellers, board games may be of interest at pawn shops. The price you can get depends on if there's a demand in your area for those games, and vintage items can usually get more money.

8. Vintage items may be worth a lot of money

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These vintage cameras including Polaroids could be worth a lot of money (Image source: Unsplash/Ramon)

It isn't a secret that many collectibles are worth more money if they're considered vintage or retro. You might be surprised at what you have in your home or garage that's vintage and valuable — look up values of your vintage tools, technology, books, and more. Even Disney movies on VHS could be worth a lot!

9. Workout equipment can be a great item to resell

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Image showing fitness equipment at a gym (Image source: iStock)
We've all been there — paid a bunch for new exercise equipment and then let it sit untouched for months or years. You might get the most resale value by selling locally or on Craigslist.

10. Don't forget about antiques

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An image of a shop that buys antiques (Image source: Unsplash/Samuel Ramos)
Any antique items you have could be worth a lot of money. As Antiques Roadshow and Pawn Stars have shown us, it can be surprising what qualifies as an antique and how much it might be worth.

11. Memorabilia of important events are valuable.

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Man selling concert tickets (Image source: iStock)
If you have memorabilia like newspapers from a major event in history or concert posters, you could sell or pawn these for cash. Country Living reports that framed concert posters may be worth $100 to $1,000 depending on the artist and condition of the poster.

This article originally appeared 2 months ago.

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