Vintage and Antique Silver Buyer in Chicago
Sometimes very old silver is worth more than modern pieces of the same weight. We love unique older items and pay aggressively for beautifully designed antique silver jewelry and hollowware. Vintage makers such as Georg Jensen can bring serious money.
Text Photos for a Quote Call (773) 490-9828
The best way to reach Mike is by text at (773) 490-9828. Send pictures and details about your items for an instant, no-obligation quote.
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- Weighed in front of you
- Quote before we meet
What to Photograph
Take clear pictures of the whole piece, then close-ups of every mark on the back or base. Hallmarks tell us the maker, the country, and often the year, and they are the fastest way for us to spot a premium item.
Antique Does Not Have to Mean Perfect
Dents, missing stones, and worn plating on the inside of a bowl do not stop us from buying. Collectible pieces are priced for what they are; everything else is priced by weight at our standard rate.
What We Buy
We buy rings, earrings, bracelets, chains, necklaces, pendants, ring jackets, class rings, wedding bands, earring jackets, empty mountings, baby jewelry, watch cases, watch bracelets, ankle bracelets, service pins, cufflinks, tie bars, tie tacks, watch chains, dinnerware, tea services, and anything else that is solid sterling silver.
On the coin side, we buy U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier, Peace and Morgan dollars, American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, and 1, 5, 10, and 100 oz bars from any refiner, as long as the bar is stamped .999.
How to Tell Sterling From Plated
Look for Sterling, Sterling Silver, or 925. These are the common U.S. marks. Foreign silver often carries several small hallmarks that identify the silversmith, the city, and the year. If a piece has no mark at all, it is probably plated rather than solid, but send a photo anyway. We test every item.
Many antique pieces carry only hallmarks and no 925 stamp, so send the photo before you assume it is plated.
What We Pay
Cook County Buyers pays on a sliding scale based on the type and resale potential of the silver:
- Sterling flatware: minimum 65% of melt/spot value (reflecting refining costs).
- Coins and bars (.999 or recognized pure silver): up to 90% of market value.
- Designer silver jewelry or vintage Navajo jewelry: can be substantially higher, often well above 100% of melt value, priced on current resale/collector demand rather than metal content alone.
Rates are item-specific, can increase with larger quantities or higher-demand pieces, and are confirmed after in-person testing and weighing. Text photos and details to Mike at (773) 490-9828 for an estimate. Learn more in What Is My Silver Worth?
How we meet
Mike is available to meet days, evenings, and weekends. Please call (773) 490-9828 to schedule.
Cook County Buyers has a private office in Northbrook, IL, available by appointment only. Call, text, or send a description of your items through the quote form, and Mike will arrange a time to meet at the office. Or, if you prefer, Mike can meet you at a coffee shop or restaurant near you in Chicago or the suburbs.
Ready for a fair, no-pressure quote?
Text photos to (773) 490-9828 or contact Cook County Buyers.