We regularly work with customers who come across gold and silver bullion in collections, estates, or mixed in with coins and jewelry. Some pieces are easy to recognize — others require testing. This page will help you understand what you have and what to do next.

What Is Gold & Silver Bullion?

Gold and silver bullion refers to items valued primarily for their metal content rather than collectible (numismatic) value.

This typically includes:

• Government-issued coins like American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Krugerrands, and Canadian Maple Leafs
• Privately minted bars and rounds
• Gold, silver, and platinum in standard investment forms

Bullion prices are based on the current market (spot) price, with small premiums depending on the item.

How To Identify Gold & Silver Bullion

Many bullion items are clearly marked, but not all are immediately obvious — especially when mixed into collections or estate items.

Common Gold Bullion Coins

• American Gold Eagles
• Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
• South African Krugerrands
• Austrian Philharmonics

Common Silver Bullion Coins

• American Silver Eagles
• Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
• British Britannias

Bars and Rounds

• Typically stamped with weight and purity (e.g., “1 oz .999 fine silver”)
• Common brands include PAMP Suisse, Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, and others

Some items may look similar to bullion but are actually plated or lower purity — especially older or decorative pieces.

If you’re unsure, there’s no need to sort or test items ahead of time. We handle that in-shop.

What Your Bullion Is Worth

Bullion value is based on the current gold or silver market price (spot price).

However, real-world buying and selling includes:

• A small spread between buy and sell prices
• Premiums for certain coins (like Eagles or Maple Leafs)
• Market conditions (supply, demand, and volatility)

We explain pricing clearly during the evaluation so you understand exactly how the value is determined.

Buying & Selling Gold and Silver Bullion in Skokie

We buy and sell a wide range of bullion items from customers throughout Skokie and the Chicago area.

What We Buy

• Gold and silver bullion coins
• Gold and silver bars
• Platinum bullion
• Mixed bullion collections

What We Sell

We maintain a selection of commonly traded bullion items, including:

• 1 oz gold coins and bars
• Silver rounds and bars in various sizes

If you’re looking for a specific item, we can usually source it.

All transactions are handled in person in a secure, professional environment.

Why Some Bullion Sells Easier Than Others

Not all bullion is treated exactly the same in the market.

• Government-issued coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs) are widely recognized and often carry stronger demand
• Well-known private mints are also easy to trade
• Unusual or obscure items may require additional verification

This doesn’t mean something is worth less — just that some items are more liquid than others.

No Need To Sort Or Guess

Many customers come in unsure of what they have — especially when dealing with inherited items or mixed collections.

That’s completely normal.

We test and evaluate everything in-house, including:

• Verifying metal content
• Separating bullion from collectible coins or scrap
• Explaining what has additional value beyond metal

There’s no need to clean, sort, or research items ahead of time.

Buying and Selling Bullion

We work with customers on both sides of the market.

Some customers are looking to sell bullion they already own. Others are looking to purchase gold or silver as part of a long-term investment or store of value.

In both cases, pricing is based on:

• current market prices
• product type
• quantity
• real-time supply and demand

Prices are influenced by the spot market, but spot is only a reference point. Real-world buy and sell prices reflect the physical market, which can shift depending on volatility, inventory, and refining conditions.

Because markets move throughout the day, pricing can change as conditions shift.

Visit Our Skokie Location

Oakton Coins & Collectibles is located in Skokie, just outside Chicago, with easy access from I-94 and within walking distance of the CTA Yellow Line.

• Free parking available
• No appointment necessary
• Private, secure transaction area

If you have gold or silver bullion and want a straightforward evaluation, feel free to stop in. We’re happy to explain how pricing works and answer any questions about the gold and silver markets. We also purchase a wide range of related items — you can see a full list on our What We Buy page.