How we handle an estate lot, in three steps
- Bring it in. Boxes, bags, coin albums, jewelry rolls and silver chests are all fine as they are. Leave coins in their original holders and do not clean anything, because cleaning can lower what an older coin is worth.
- We test it. Gold and silver are tested and weighed at the counter where you can watch. Karat, purity and weight are written down so you can see how the number is built.
- Get paid. You get one clear offer for the lot, or separate offers for the items you want to think about. Accept and you are paid the same day.
How estate items are priced
Different parts of an estate are priced different ways, and we tell you which is which. Broken or worn-out gold jewelry is bought as scrap at about 75% of melt value. Silver dollars, such as Morgan and Peace dollars, are priced separately from other silver, coin by coin or by the roll, because date, mint mark and condition matter. Pre-1965 dimes, quarters and halves are priced by their silver content. Sterling flatware and holloware are weighed and priced by the sterling content. Watches in an estate are usually paid at 40% to 60% of their resale value, depending on brand, condition and whether they run.
If you just want to know roughly what you have before deciding, we can give you a soft estimate at the counter. That is a quick, informal number for selling purposes. It is not a written valuation for insurance, probate or tax paperwork.
Tips before you bring an estate in
- Keep coins in the folders, tubes or envelopes they were stored in. Notes written on envelopes can help.
- Do not polish silver or coins. Tarnish is normal and does not hurt the metal value.
- Bring everything that looks like gold or silver, even if you are not sure. Testing sorts it out quickly.
- If several family members are involved, decide in advance who can accept an offer.
- Large lots take longer, so call ahead at (336) 505-9503 and we will set aside time.
Settling an estate or clearing a loved one’s collection? Apex Gold Silver Coin buys estate gold, silver, coins, and bullion at our Winston-Salem shop. Bring the lot to 605 Walnut St SW. We sort, test, and weigh in front of you and make a same-day offer.
What estate lots usually include
- Scrap gold jewelry and broken pieces mixed with wearable gold
- Gold coins and silver dollars still in albums or envelopes
- 90% and 40% junk silver by the roll or bag
- Sterling flatware and tea sets
- Proof sets, mint sets, and loose collector coins
- Old paper money and large-size notes when present
- Dental gold and platinum jewelry when the estate has them
You do not need everything sorted before you arrive. Mixed boxes and bags are normal.
How estate buying works here
- Call (336) 505-9503 or walk in during shop hours.
- Bring a valid government photo ID to sell jewelry, scrap gold, watches, or anything other than coins and bullion. North Carolina does not require an ID to sell coins or bullion.
- We test scrap gold (about 75% of melt is our usual scrap starting point; coins and resale pieces often pay more).
- You get one clear offer for the lot, or we can break out high-value coins if that helps.
- Same-day cash or check when you accept.
We do not do insurance valuations or paperwork. We buy what you bring to sell.
Who this helps
Executors, family members cleaning a house, and people who inherited a collection they do not want to keep. High Point, Greensboro, Lexington, and other Triad cities are welcome; the shop itself is in Winston-Salem.
Ready when you are
Apex Gold Silver Coin
605 Walnut St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 505-9503
Monday–Friday 10am–4pm · Saturday 12–3pm · Closed Sunday
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Helpful guides: Estate sales and auctions in NC · What a fair estate offer looks like · What happens after you sell