We regularly work with customers who come across gold and silver bullion in collections and 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. You can view current pricing trends on our gold and silver spot price page.
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, see our silver identification guide or bring items in for testing.
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).
- 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
- Any type of gold and silver bullion coins
- Any type of Gold and silver bars
- Any type of 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 at our Skokie location.
Why Some Bullion Sells Easier Than Others
- 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
No Need To Sort Or Guess
Many customers come in unsure of what they have — especially when dealing with inherited items or mixed collections.
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
If you’re dealing with a larger group, see our estate and life transitions page.
Buying and Selling Bullion
We work with customers on both sides of the market — whether you’re selling existing holdings or looking to purchase bullion.
- 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.
Visit Our Skokie Location
Oakton Coins & Collectibles is located in Skokie, just outside Chicago. Visit our location page for directions and details.
- Free parking available
- No appointment necessary
- Private, secure transaction area
We also purchase a wide range of related items — see our What We Buy page.
