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What Can I Pawn for $500? (2024 Guide)

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  By Forrest McCall | Last Updated:  August 23, 2023

Do you need $500 fast but aren't sure what to pawn to get the money you need?

In this post, I'll explore some of the best things to pawn for $500 so you can get money when you need it. Let's get started!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Some of the best things you can pawn for $500 include:
  • Jewelry
  • Electronics
  • Collectables
  • Power tools

What Can I Pawn for $500 Dollars

1. Jewelry

Jewelry is always a great option to pawn if you need a large amount of cash. Depending on the type and size of your jewelry, you can easily receive $500 or much more.

If your piece consists of diamonds, gold, or platinum, there’s a good chance you’ll head out of the shop with $500+!

Some of the most valuable pieces of jewelry include:

  • Rings
  • Watches
  • Diamonds
  • Other precious metals
Caution: It’s a good idea to get your piece appraised before letting go of it at your local pawn shop. You might have a piece that is worth much more than a pawn shop is willing to pay.

2. Televisions

Do you have a high-value television? This makes for a great candidate to make $500 in a day. Newer televisions can sell for upwards of $2,000 or more. If you have one of these, there’s a good shot you’ll walk away with $500 in your pocket.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need to have the latest and greatest television if you want to walk away with $500 or more. Even a television that is slightly more than one year old will be worth substantially less than a newer one.

3. Collectables

If you have some antique toys or other memorabilia, there’s a good chance you could pawn it for $500 or more.

Some great collectible items that might be worth much more than you think are:

  • Comic Books
  • Stamps
  • Dolls
  • Action Figures
  • Board Games
  • Trading Cards

Check out these comic books listed for sale I found for $600!

Comic Books for Sale

4. Coins

If you have a rare coin, you might be capable of getting $500 or more by pawning it!

Coins like a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel can be worth over $4 million so be sure to get your coin valued before letting go of it.

Some other highly valuable coins are listed below:

  • 1879 Liberty Seated Dollar
  • 1927 D St Gaudens Double Eagle
  • 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar
  • 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagle
  • 1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar

Here's a great video uncovering the most valuable coins you can find.

5. Firearms

Assuming the firearm is registered to your name, they can be a great way to make $500 at your local pawn shop. Because of the high cost of firearms, they can often be pawned for significant cash.

To get the most for your firearm, ensure that it is kept clean and in working order. Many pawnshops will complete some sort of inspection to ensure your firearm is in good working condition before making an offer.

Many guns are valued based on a few key aspects of the firearm. History, rarity, and appeal are the 3 main factors that will work to determine the value of a firearm.

You can do some research on your gun before pawning it to get a good idea of how much it could be worth.

6. Original Technology

Sony Walkman - What to Pawn

There are many pieces of technology that are worth $500+ at your local pawn shop. The original iPhone that has never been opened can sell for more than $10,000.

Some other high value pieces of tech include:

  • Original Macintosh computer – $2,000+
  • Nintendo 64 – $100+
  • Sony Walkman – $1,000+
  • Nintendo Game Boy – $100+
  • iPod Classic – $1,000+

For example, check out this Nintendo 64 I found for sale online for $250,000!

Nintendo 64 for Sale

7. Fashion and Handbags

Do you have a designer handbag or dress? You might be capable of cashing in for $500 or more depending on the bag.

Famous brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Lana Marks, or Chanel can net you well over $1,000 if your piece is authentic and in good condition. You’ll need to be capable of proving your piece is authentic to get the most for your money.

8. Instruments

If you have a nice instrument at home that you’re willing to part ways with, you might be capable of making $500. Depending on the type and rarity of your instrument, you could earn anywhere from $50 to over $1,000 for your piece. Guitars, violins, and trumpets can make great candidates to pawn for cash.

Looking for my ideas on what to pawn? Check out these crazy deals on Pawn Stars!

What Can I Pawn for $50?

Okay, maybe you don’t quite need all $500, but perhaps just $50. Below is a list of lower-valued items you could consider pawning to get the cash you need.

Video Game Consoles

If you need $50 fast, pawning a video game console might be one of the easiest methods. Because they are so common, there’s a pretty high chance you’ll have one inside your home.

Newer consoles like a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One can often get you at least $50. Add in a few games and controllers and you could work your way up to $100+.

Older Televisions

If you have a television that less than a couple of years old, you could easily get $50 or more.

Top brands like Sony, Samsung, or LG will earn you the most with preference given to those that provide 4K resolution and LED.

Golf Clubs

If you have a completed set of golf clubs, you might be surprised about how much money you can get for them.

If the set is in good condition and is a high-quality brand like Callaway or Titleist, you can easily receive over $50 if not $100+.

What Can I Pawn for $100?

If you don’t quite need $500 but instead just $100, this will open your options up to what you might consider selling.

Smartphones

Do you have a newer smartphone that is no longer in use? Most of them will sell for anywhere between $100 to over $500 depending on the phone, making them a great option to pawn for cash.

While iPhones tend to hold their value much more than most Android phones, there are several Android phones that are worth well over $100.

Power Tools

If you have a small collection of power tools, your chance of landing $100 or more is quite high.

Assuming they’re in good working order you can expect to cash in at least $100 for a collection of 4 or 5 pieces. The amount you’ll receive depends on the type of tool and it’s condition.

Tools like drills, saws, or select types of nail guns are your best bet if you need $100.

Yeti Coolers

Any Yeti items are great options to pawn because of their high value and ease to sell. For several of the larger coolers, you can expect to get over $100 while the smaller ones might net you just at $100.

For example, check out this Yeti cooler I found listed for over $250!

YETI cooler for Sale

Washers and Dryers

If you have a washing machine or dryer, these items can easily be pawned for cash. You might receive a few hundred dollars for the pair, but if you need the cash, it could be worth it. You could consider using a local laundry mat instead to save money and get the cash you need.

The brand and age of the appliances will help you to determine how much you’ll receive. More expensive brands like GE, Samsung, and LG and net you much more than their less expensive counterparts.

Select Bicycles

Some bicycles are worth more than you think. Those who are competitive and serious about cycling can spend over $5,000 on their bikes to gain a competitive edge against others. These carbon fiber framed bikes can be pawned for over $100.

But you don’t need to have the most expensive bike to get over $100 at the pawnshop. Even an older mountain bike can net you around $100 if it is in decent working condition.

Home Theater Systems

Between home theater receivers and speakers, your home entertainment system is a great option to pawn to receive $100+. These items can sell individually for a few hundred dollars each depending on the brand and specs.

Digital Cameras

Some digital cameras can net you over $100 at your local pawnshop depending on the brand and quality fo the camera.

For example, those with a newer Canon or Nikon cameras could be capable of getting a few hundred dollars for their camera.

How to Get More Money at a Pawn Shop?

Pawnshops are notorious for offering significantly less for your items then they’re actually worth. Here are a few tips to help you get more money during your next visit!

Always Negotiate

If you accept the first offer they make, you’re sure to have missed out on some money. Always negotiate the price for your items, even if it’s only a few dollars to get the most money on your trip.

Don’t Get Emotional

It’s not worth selling your items that are worth much more just to get money instantly. Instead, know your boundaries and what the minimum you’ll accept will be ahead of time.

It’s easy to get caught up when you have a few hundred dollars staring you in the face!

Prove it’s Worth

If you have a collectible item or anything of significant value, you should aim to have any and all documentation to prove your items worth. Without it, the pawnshop might offer significantly less or refuse to purchase your item outright.

Get Multiple Offers

Different pawnshops will likely offer you different amounts for the same product. Check out a couple of your local shops and compare pricing to make more money on the items you pawn.

Pawn Shop Alternatives

If you don’t want to sell your items at a pawn shop, you have a few other options. Some of which might make you more money!

Sell Items Online

You can easily sell some of your items on popular websites like Amazon or eBay to get cash fast. While these will require more work, you’ll likely receive more money in exchange. Be sure to consider the cost of shipping your items before putting a price tag on them in order to maximize your returns.

Have a Garage Sale

Garage sales are a fun and easy way to make some additional income during your time off on the weekend. These are typically held Saturday or Sunday mornings and can last until the afternoon or until all items are sold.

While a garage sale might require more work than selling your items online, you get the benefit of not having to deal with shipping your items. In addition, you’ll receive cash for your items on the spot. Check out these tips to having a successful garage sale!

Sell at a Consignment or Antique Store

Some consignment and antique stores will offer cash for your items that they sell. This can be a great option if you have clothes or furniture that a pawn shop might not be willing to purchase. While the proceeds are still likely to be low, this gives you another option to sell your items.

Pawn Online

There are some pawn shops that operate online, making pawning your items a breeze. You can list your items and various pawnshops can bid on your item similar to how you would sell on eBay or other auction sites. These can be a good option for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of visiting multiple pawn shops while attempting to sell their items.

Find Others Ways to Get Cash

Like we've mentioned, pawn shops are notorious for offering substantially less than market value for many items. This is in exchange for the convenience of getting cash in your hands fast.

Instead, you might consider taking out a small personal loan with a low-interest rate or perhaps using an interest-free credit card to cover upcoming expenses. Then you can sell your items at market rate to get the most for your money.

Final Thoughts

While the list of items you can pawn for $500 isn’t massive, there’s a chance you might have some of them around your home.

Whether you need $50, $100, or $500, pawn shops offer you a method to get cash fast for any circumstance.

The trade-off? You’ll likely receive less than market value for your items, so it’s usually a better idea to sell them yourself to maximize the amount you’ll receive.

Looking for other ways to make money? Check out these guides:

Forrest is a personal finance, entrepreneurship, and investing expert dedicated to helping others obtain life long wealth. He has a Bachelor's degree in business and has been featured in many popular publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and many others. To learn more about Forrest, visit the About Us Page for more info.
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