We buy coins, gold, silver, bullion, jewelry, paper money, sterling silver, diamonds, inherited collections, estate material and many other collectible or precious-metal items.

Some customers come in with one gold coin. Others bring a handful of old silver dollars. Some arrive with boxes containing an entire family collection that has accumulated for 50, 75 or even 100 years.

You do not need to know exactly what you have before coming to Oakton Coins.

You do not need to organize everything by date. You do not need to look up every coin online. You do not need to separate the valuable items from the common ones. You do not even need to know whether something is gold, silver, collectible or simply interesting.

Bring it in and let us sort through it with you.

We Buy Coin Collections in Chicago and the North Shore

Oakton Coins & Collectibles is a full-service coin and precious-metals dealer located in Skokie, Illinois, serving Chicago, the North Side, the North Shore and surrounding suburbs.

If you are looking to sell old coins in Chicago, sell an inherited coin collection, find a coin buyer near Chicago, or simply learn what an old collection contains, we can help.

We regularly buy individual coins, complete collections and large mixed accumulations.

A collection does not have to be professionally organized.

Many inherited collections arrive in old albums, cigar boxes, envelopes, coffee cans, bank bags, plastic tubs, cardboard boxes and safe-deposit boxes.

That is normal.

U.S. Coins We Buy

We buy a wide range of United States coins, including both collectible coins and coins valued primarily for their precious-metal content.

Examples include:

• Early U.S. coins
• Half cents and large cents
• Indian Head cents
• Lincoln cents
• Two-cent pieces
• Three-cent pieces
• Half dimes
• Shield nickels
• Liberty nickels
• Buffalo nickels
• Jefferson nickels
• Seated Liberty coinage
• Barber dimes, quarters and half dollars
• Mercury dimes
• Roosevelt dimes
• Standing Liberty quarters
• Washington quarters
• Walking Liberty half dollars
• Franklin half dollars
• Kennedy half dollars
• Morgan silver dollars
• Peace silver dollars
• Eisenhower dollars
• Trade dollars
• Commemorative coins
• Proof coins
• Mint sets
• Proof sets
• Certified coins
• PCGS and NGC graded coins
• U.S. gold coins

If you have an old U.S. coin and do not see it listed here, that does not mean we are not interested.

There are thousands of collectible U.S. coin types, dates, varieties and mintmark combinations. We evaluate the actual coin rather than relying on a short checklist.

We Buy Morgan Dollars and Peace Dollars

Morgan dollars and Peace dollars are among the most common collectible silver dollars found in inherited collections.

We buy common circulated examples, better dates, uncirculated coins, certified coins, complete sets and larger groups of silver dollars.

Not every Morgan dollar is rare, but certain dates, mintmarks and conditions can be considerably more desirable than others.

If you inherit a group of silver dollars, there is no need to search every date individually before bringing them in.

We can identify which coins are common and which deserve closer attention.

We Buy Rare Coins

Oakton Coins buys rare and collectible coins as well as common coins.

That includes better-date U.S. coins, scarce varieties, certified coins, early American coinage and individual coins with meaningful numismatic value.

One of the problems with researching rare coins online is that common coins and genuinely rare coins often look very similar to someone who does not work with them regularly.

A small difference in date, mintmark, variety or condition can matter enormously.

At the same time, many ordinary coins are advertised online at unrealistic asking prices.

An online listing does not necessarily tell you what a coin actually sells for.

We evaluate coins based on the real collector and wholesale market, not simply the highest number that appears in a search result.

We Buy Common Coins Too

Your collection does not have to contain rare coins.

We also buy common coins when there is a market for them.

Many estates contain a mixture of collectible material, silver coins, bullion-related coins and ordinary accumulated coins.

We are accustomed to sorting mixed collections.

You do not have to remove all the common material before coming in.

We Buy Gold Coins

Gold coins are a major part of our business.

We buy U.S. gold coins, foreign gold coins, bullion coins and older world gold.

Examples can include:

• U.S. Liberty Head gold coins
• Indian Head gold coins
• $1 gold coins
• $2.50 quarter eagles
• $5 half eagles
• $10 eagles
• $20 double eagles
• Saint-Gaudens double eagles
• American Gold Eagles
• American Gold Buffalos
• Canadian Maple Leafs
• South African Krugerrands
• Mexican 50 peso Centenarios
• Mexican 20 peso gold coins
• Mexican 10, 5, 2½ and 2 peso gold coins
• British sovereigns
• French gold coins
• Swiss gold coins
• Austrian gold coins
• European gold coins
• Asian gold coins
• Middle Eastern gold coins
• Other world gold coins

Foreign gold should not be dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar.

We regularly handle gold coins from countries all over the world.

We Buy Gold Bullion

Oakton Coins buys gold bullion in many forms.

That includes:

• One-ounce gold coins
• Fractional gold coins
• Gold bars
• Gold rounds
• Government-issued bullion coins
• Privately minted bullion
• Older bullion products
• Odd-weight gold bars and coins

Gold does not have to come in a familiar one-ounce format.

We routinely deal with different weights, purities and international bullion products.

We test and verify precious metals before purchasing them.

We Buy Silver Coins

We buy silver coins ranging from individual collectible pieces to large quantities of bullion-related U.S. silver.

This can include older U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars, as well as foreign silver coins.

Some silver coins are primarily valued for their silver content. Others have additional collector value.

We sort them accordingly.

If you are unsure whether your coins are silver, bring them in.

We Buy Silver Bullion

We buy many forms of silver bullion, including:

• American Silver Eagles
• Canadian Maple Leafs
• Silver bars
• Silver rounds
• One-ounce silver bullion
• Ten-ounce bars
• Hundred-ounce bars
• Older commercial silver bars
• Government-issued silver bullion coins
• Privately minted silver
• Mixed bullion collections

Large quantities are welcome.

For especially large bullion transactions, it may make sense to contact us before arriving so we can discuss timing and logistics.

We Buy Platinum and Palladium

Gold and silver are not the only precious metals we handle.

We also buy platinum and palladium coins, bars and other recognized precious-metal products.

If you inherit a precious-metal item and are not sure what it is, bring it in for identification.

We Buy Gold Jewelry

Oakton Coins buys gold jewelry in a wide range of styles, conditions and purities.

Jewelry does not have to be fashionable, wearable or in perfect condition.

We buy:

• Broken gold jewelry
• Old gold jewelry
• Estate jewelry
• Gold chains
• Gold bracelets
• Gold rings
• Gold earrings
• Gold pendants
• Gold watches and watch cases
• Gold charms
• Gold dental material
• Designer gold jewelry
• Unmarked gold items
• High-karat gold jewelry
• Foreign gold jewelry

We regularly encounter 10-karat, 14-karat, 18-karat, 22-karat and higher-purity gold.

We also see jewelry made in countries where higher-karat gold is more common.

We Test Gold In-House

You do not need to know the purity of your jewelry before coming in.

We use professional testing methods, including X-ray fluorescence testing when appropriate, to help determine metal composition.

Jewelry markings can be useful, but the item itself still needs to be evaluated.

Old jewelry can contain mixed metals, solder, springs, stones and other materials that affect the actual precious-metal content.

Our job is to determine what is really there.

We Buy High-Karat Gold

We regularly buy high-karat gold jewelry from around the world.

This can include 18-karat, 21-karat, 22-karat, 23-karat and 24-karat items.

High-karat gold is common in many Asian, Middle Eastern and South Asian jewelry traditions.

We are comfortable evaluating unfamiliar styles, markings and compositions.

Gold made overseas is not mysterious simply because it looks different from typical American jewelry.

We Buy Sterling Silver

Oakton Coins buys sterling silver in many forms.

This includes:

• Sterling flatware
• Sterling forks
• Sterling spoons
• Sterling knives
• Sterling serving pieces
• Sterling bowls
• Sterling trays
• Sterling candlesticks
• Sterling tea sets
• Sterling jewelry
• Sterling hollowware
• Mixed sterling collections

Some sterling items have additional antique, maker or decorative value. Others are primarily valued for their silver content.

We evaluate the actual pieces.

What About Silver Plate?

Silver plate is different from sterling silver.

A silver-plated item generally contains only a thin layer of silver over another base metal.

That means its precious-metal value is very different from solid sterling silver.

If you are not sure whether something is sterling or plated, bring it in and we can help identify it.

We Buy Diamonds and Some Estate Jewelry

We also evaluate diamonds and certain estate jewelry.

Diamond value depends on many factors, including size, quality, grading, demand and whether a recognized laboratory report is available.

Some jewelry is worth more than simply the gold content.

Other pieces may be primarily valuable for their precious metal.

We evaluate the piece as a whole before deciding how it fits into the market.

We Buy Paper Money

Oakton Coins buys collectible U.S. and foreign paper money.

This includes:

• Large-size U.S. currency
• Small-size U.S. currency
• National Bank Notes
• Gold Certificates
• Silver Certificates
• Legal Tender Notes
• Federal Reserve Notes
• Old $500 bills
• Old $1,000 bills
• Fractional currency
• Confederate currency
• Obsolete banknotes
• Foreign paper money
• Japanese occupation currency
• World War II-era currency
• Older international banknotes

Old paper money can be confusing because age alone does not determine value.

Some notes are scarce and highly collectible. Others survive in large quantities and are relatively inexpensive.

We can help identify what you have.

We Buy Confederate Currency

Confederate currency still turns up regularly in inherited collections.

We buy and sell genuine Confederate notes.

Many examples are common despite being more than 160 years old, while certain issues are scarcer and more desirable.

We also see reproductions, facsimiles and old souvenir copies, so authentication matters.

We Buy U.S. Fractional Currency

Fractional currency was issued during the Civil War era when coins became difficult to find in circulation.

These small paper notes were issued in denominations below one dollar and look very different from modern currency.

We buy U.S. fractional currency and other Civil War-era paper money.

We Buy Foreign Coins

Foreign coins are another major category found in inherited collections.

We see coins from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and countries that no longer exist under the same names or governments.

Some foreign coins are valuable because of precious-metal content. Some are collectible. Some are common.

We do not expect customers to identify them before bringing them in.

We Buy World Coins

World coin collecting covers an enormous range of material.

We buy many types of world coins, including:

• Mexican coins
• Canadian coins
• British coins
• European coins
• Asian coins
• Latin American coins
• Middle Eastern coins
• Older silver world coins
• World gold coins
• Colonial and obsolete issues
• Foreign coin collections

If you inherit a mixed box of foreign coins, you do not need to separate them by country before visiting.

We Buy Complete Coin Collections

Some customers inherit carefully organized collections with albums, labels and records.

Others inherit decades of accumulation with very little organization.

We buy both.

A complete coin collection may include U.S. coins, foreign coins, bullion, paper money, tokens, medals, proof sets and miscellaneous items.

We can evaluate a collection as a whole and determine which areas deserve individual attention.

We Buy Inherited Coin Collections

If you have inherited coins and do not know where to begin, that is completely normal.

You do not need to become a coin collector before visiting a coin dealer.

We regularly work with families handling collections left by parents, grandparents, spouses and other relatives.

Sometimes the original collector left detailed records.

Sometimes there is nothing but boxes of coins.

Either way, we can work through the material.

You Do Not Need to Organize Everything First

This is worth repeating.

You do not need to spend weeks sorting coins into piles before bringing them in.

You do not need to remove coins from albums.

You do not need to alphabetize foreign coins by country.

You do not need to separate silver from non-silver if you do not know the difference.

You do not need to research every date.

In some cases, excessive sorting can actually make an inherited collection harder to understand because the original organization may contain useful information.

If you are unsure, leave the collection the way you found it and bring it in.

Please Do Not Clean Old Coins

If you inherit old coins, resist the temptation to polish or clean them.

Cleaning can permanently damage original surfaces and reduce collector value.

A dark, toned or dirty-looking coin may still be much more desirable in its original state than after aggressive cleaning.

Bring the coins in as they are.

We Buy Tokens, Medals and Related Numismatic Items

Coin collections often contain things that are not technically coins.

These can include tokens, medals, commemorative pieces and other numismatic material.

Some are common. Some can be surprisingly collectible.

Do not throw something away simply because you cannot find a denomination on it.

We Buy Some Historical Collectibles

Oakton Coins & Collectibles handles more than coins and precious metals.

Depending on the material, we may also be interested in historical collectibles such as:

• Historical documents
• Autographs
• Old maps
• Vintage posters
• Militaria
• Military documents
• Some pocket watches
• Selected vintage toys
• Older collectible objects

If an unusual historical item is mixed into an estate collection, bring it along.

Even if it is outside our core coin business, we may recognize it or be able to explain whether it is something worth pursuing further.

We Buy Estates

Estate collections rarely fit neatly into one category.

A typical estate might contain coins, jewelry, silver, paper money, gold, watches, old documents and miscellaneous collectibles all mixed together.

We are accustomed to working with that kind of material.

You do not necessarily need five different specialists before anyone can begin helping you.

We can evaluate many categories in one place and identify which items deserve additional attention.

Executors and Families Are Welcome

We regularly work with executors, trustees, attorneys and family members handling inherited property.

Sometimes the person bringing the collection in knows absolutely nothing about coins or precious metals.

That is fine.

You do not need to speak the language of coin collecting to have a collection evaluated.

We Handle Small Collections and Large Collections

You do not need a huge estate to visit Oakton Coins.

We buy small groups of coins and individual items as well.

At the other end of the spectrum, customers sometimes worry that a large collection will overwhelm us.

Large collections are a normal part of our business.

If you have multiple boxes, a substantial estate or a very valuable collection, we can adjust the process accordingly.

What If My Collection Is Very Valuable?

Oakton Coins operates as a controlled-access environment.

Customers are buzzed into the shop and access can be limited when a significant collection is being evaluated.

If valuable material is spread out and additional foot traffic would be distracting, we may temporarily restrict casual browsing while the evaluation is taking place.

If you have a large or heavy collection in your vehicle, you can also come inside first and speak with us.

When staffing and circumstances allow, we can usually help bring material in from your car.

Do I Need an Appointment?

Walk-ins are welcome for most ordinary evaluations.

For especially large collections, large bullion transactions or situations involving a significant amount of material, calling ahead can be helpful.

You do not need to know the exact value before calling.

A basic description of what you are bringing is usually enough to help determine whether any special timing makes sense.

Do You Give Free Coin Appraisals?

We offer free verbal evaluations for customers who want to understand what they have and what we would pay for it.

Written appraisals are a different service and may be appropriate in situations involving insurance, estate documentation or other formal purposes.

For most people simply trying to sell an inherited coin collection, a verbal evaluation is the place to begin.

Do You Buy Collections Without an Appraisal?

Yes.

If your goal is to sell, you do not necessarily need to pay for a formal written appraisal first.

We can examine the material, explain what is there and make an offer based on the current market.

A formal appraisal and an offer to purchase are two different things.

Where Can I Sell Old Coins in Chicago?

If you are searching for a place to sell old coins in Chicago, Oakton Coins & Collectibles is located in Skokie, just north of the Chicago city limits.

We regularly work with customers from Chicago neighborhoods including Rogers Park, West Ridge, Edgewater and other parts of the North Side, as well as customers from Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Wilmette and communities throughout the North Shore.

Many customers prefer bringing a collection to a suburban location rather than carrying valuable material downtown.

Coin Buyer Near Evanston

Oakton Coins is close to Evanston and regularly works with customers from Evanston and the surrounding North Shore.

If you are looking for a coin buyer near Evanston, a place to sell inherited coins, or a dealer who also handles gold, jewelry, bullion and paper money, we are nearby in Skokie.

Coin Dealer Near Rogers Park and Chicago’s North Side

We also regularly serve customers from Rogers Park and Chicago’s North Side.

That can be particularly convenient for people handling estates or valuable collections who would prefer not to transport material into the Loop.

We Are Not a Pawn Shop

Oakton Coins & Collectibles is a coin and precious-metals dealer.

We buy items outright.

We do not operate as a pawn lender and do not make loans against your coins or jewelry.

Our business is based on evaluating, buying and selling collectible material and precious metals.

How Do We Determine What Something Is Worth?

The answer depends on what the item is.

A rare coin may be evaluated based on numismatic demand, condition, rarity and the wholesale coin market.

A common gold coin may trade primarily based on its precious-metal content and current bullion demand.

Gold jewelry requires consideration of weight, purity, stones, construction and refining costs.

Paper money depends on issue, rarity, condition and collector demand.

There is no single formula that applies to every object in an estate.

Why Online Prices Can Be Confusing

People frequently research inherited collections online before visiting a dealer.

That can be useful, but it can also create confusion.

Search results may show:

• Retail asking prices
• Unsold listings
• Rare varieties that look similar to common coins
• High-grade certified examples
• Incorrect descriptions
• Old price information
• AI-generated estimates without enough information

The fact that someone is asking $5,000 for a coin online does not mean that coin sells for $5,000.

It is usually better to identify exactly what you have before trying to determine value.

What If I Used an App or AI to Identify My Coins?

Coin apps and AI tools can sometimes be useful for basic identification.

They are much less reliable when subtle varieties, condition, authenticity or real market value are involved.

If an app tells you that an ordinary coin might be worth thousands of dollars, do not panic and do not start cleaning it.

Bring the actual coin in and let us look at it.

What If I Have No Idea What Is Valuable?

That is probably the most common situation we encounter.

You are not expected to know.

A family member may have collected for decades without ever explaining the collection to anyone else.

Some of the valuable material may look ordinary.

Some impressive-looking pieces may turn out to be common.

That is why identification comes before assumptions about value.

What Should I Bring?

If the material came together as part of the same collection, it is often best to bring it together.

Albums, envelopes, original holders, boxes, receipts and notes left by the collector can sometimes provide useful context.

Do not remove certified coins from holders.

Do not clean coins or jewelry before coming.

Do not discard items simply because you think they are foreign, common or not made of precious metal.

What Does Oakton Coins Buy? The Simple Version

If you have read this far, the answer can be summarized pretty easily.

We buy:

• U.S. coins
• Rare coins
• Old coins
• Silver coins
• Gold coins
• Foreign coins
• World coins
• Coin collections
• Inherited coin collections
• Morgan dollars
• Peace dollars
• Certified coins
• Gold bullion
• Silver bullion
• Platinum
• Palladium
• Gold bars
• Silver bars
• Gold jewelry
• Broken gold jewelry
• Estate jewelry
• High-karat gold
• Sterling silver
• Sterling flatware
• Diamonds and selected estate jewelry
• U.S. paper money
• Foreign paper money
• Confederate currency
• Fractional currency
• National Bank Notes
• Japanese occupation currency
• Tokens and medals
• Selected historical collectibles
• Mixed estates and collections

Not Sure What You Have? Bring It In.

You do not need to identify everything yourself before visiting Oakton Coins.

You do not need to know the difference between a rare coin and a common coin.

You do not need to know whether a piece of jewelry is 10-karat, 14-karat, 18-karat or something else.

You do not need to understand why one old piece of paper money is valuable while another is common.

You do not need to separate every foreign coin from every U.S. coin.

You do not need to become an expert before selling an inherited collection.

That is our job.

Oakton Coins & Collectibles in Skokie buys coins, gold, silver, jewelry, bullion, paper money, sterling silver and collections from customers throughout Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Rogers Park, the North Side, the North Shore and surrounding communities.

Whether you have one coin or an entire estate, bring it in and let us take a look.