If you’re cleaning out your home and come across any items that may contain silver — even if they’re broken or no longer usable — you can get money for their scrap silver content rather than simply throwing them away.
With scrap silver prices hovering at record highs this year, now is a great time to sell.
Any sterling silver jewelry, medals, awards, or coins, silverware or serving pieces have scrap silver value to a scrap silver buyer like CashforSilverUSA >>
Here's what you else you should know about selling scrap silver:
- Can you sell silver scrap?
- What is the best place to sell scrap silver?
- Where to find silver scrap buyers “near me”
- What scrap silver is worth
What is considered scrap silver?
Scrap silver is any silver item that's only worth the value of the silver it contains. In other words, the item itself is no longer usable or useful, whether it’s old, broken, or part of something that no longer works like electronics. More below on where you can find scrap silver.
Can you sell silver scrap?
Yes, you can sell silver scrap for the value of its silver content. More here on selling silver, or keep reading for details on where to sell your silver scrap for the highest price: CashforSilverUSA.com.
Where is the best place to sell silver scrap?
Our No. 1 recommended silver buyer is CashforSilverUSA, sister site of CashforGoldUSA, which has paid out millions of dollars since it was founded in 2005.
CashforSilverUSA
We recommend CashforSilverUSA because:
- A+ BBB rating
- Payment within 24 hours
- 100% free trackable shipping
- Free Jewelers’ Mutual insurance up to $100,000 per shipment
- Facility insured by Lloyds of London
- Best price guarantee
Get a free and instant quote now from CashforSilverUSA >>
Where to find scrap silver buyers “near me”
If you want to find local scrap silver buyers, you can Google “scrap silver buyers ‘near me’” to find your closest location:

Look up customer reviews for the business and its Better Business Bureau rating to make sure you're working with a reputable buyer.
Pawn shops
You can sell your silver scrap to a pawn shop, though you likely won’t get as much for your silver scrap as you would selling to an online silver buyer like CashforSilverUSA. The benefits of pawnbrokers is the sale is quick and cash.
But, if you need cash today, look for a reputable pawn shop by asking friends for recommendations, checking local BBB and Yelp reviews, and shopping around before making a sale.
Jewelry shops
Some jewelry shops might buy scrap metal in the form of old or broken silver jewelry, then turn around and sell it to a refiner (which means you miss out on some of the profit). Before you sell, check your silver jewelry for markings and weigh your item to determine how much silver it contains.
Coin shops
Some coin shops will pay you the scrap value of common silver coins. Note that if you have rare silver coins, they’ll likely be worth more than their silver content.
8 places to sell silver for cash, online and “near me” in 2023
What is scrap silver worth?
The scrap silver price is based on the spot price of silver. Your silver scrap is worth as much as the pure silver it contains.
Scrap silver price per ounce and gram
Silver is worth the price of silver today x the quality of silver, minus the buyer's commission.
As of , the silver resale value in the United States was at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
As of , the silver resale value in the United States was at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
Most silver jewelry and flatware is sterling, marked as 925 silver when it contains 92.5% silver, combined with another metal — typically copper. Since 925 silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price.
Junk silver prices
Junk silver refers to United States coins made of 90% silver, which were in circulation prior to 1965. These coins have no collector value and are therefore worth 90% of the spot silver price.
Scrap sterling silver prices
Sterling silver, or 925 silver, is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% metal alloy — typically copper. Scrap sterling silver is worth 92.5% of the spot silver price.
Where can I find scrap silver?
If you’re looking for scrap silver, start in your home, then check out local flea markets, yard sales, consignment shops, pawn shops, and estate sales. You can also keep an eye on Buy Nothing Facebook groups for your area or post on apps like Nextdoor.
These are some common sources of scrap silver you may have in your home:
Jewelry
If you have old jewelry that’s out of style, broken, or missing pieces — like a silver earring missing its pair — you can sell it for its scrap silver value.
Old coins
Silver coins that have no collector value and are no longer in circulation can be sold for scrap.
Silver flatware
A 32-piece sterling silver flatware set may be worth $800 to $1,200 just based on its scrap silver content.
Silver plaques
If you have a plaque with a silver plate or frame, you can sell it for scrap.
Old medals
While most of today’s medals are made of bronze or brass then coated in gold or silver, some older medals made before about 1970 might be made of solid sterling silver. Note that most silver buyers do not take silver-plated items.
Old awards
Like medals, most modern trophies are made of bronze or brass, but older trophies and other awards made before about 1970 might contain solid sterling silver, which is worth 92.5% of the spot silver.
Old electronics
Silver scrap in electronics can be recycled and sold for cash. Here is how to find and remove silver scrap from electronics:
Bottom line: What is the best way to sell old silver scrap for cash?
Online silver buyers like CashforSilverUSA can typically pay you more for your scrap silver items because:
- Lower overhead
- Higher volume
- More competitive market (literally, the entire world)
CashforSilverUSA is a sister site of CashforGoldUSA, which accepts gold in all its forms, diamonds, and more.
Get an instant estimate on your silver scrap from CashforSilverUSA >>
Scrap silver is any silver item that's only worth the value of the silver it contains. In other words, the item itself is no longer usable or useful, whether it’s old, broken, or part of something that no longer works.
Yes, you can sell silver scrap for the value of its silver content.
The scrap silver price is based on the spot price of silver. Your silver scrap is worth as much as the pure silver it contains.
If you’re looking for scrap silver, start in your home, then check out local flea markets, yard sales, consignment shops, pawn shops, and estate sales. You can also keep an eye on Buy Nothing Facebook groups for your area or post on apps like Nextdoor.