Our blog covers pawn shops and news from Wailuku, Maui.

Maui’s Only Coin Shop: Buying, Selling, and Appraising Rare Coins

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Every Coin Has a Story

Coins are much more than money. They represent history, artistry, and, in many cases, a family’s legacy. Over the years, we’ve met customers who inherited coin collections from their parents or grandparents, discovered old coins while cleaning out a safe, or simply wondered whether the coins sitting in a drawer were worth anything.

Some collections are worth a few hundred dollars, while others are worth thousands. The only way to know for certain is to have them professionally evaluated.

For nearly 50 years, Kamaʻāina Loan has been helping Maui residents understand the value of their coins. As Maui’s only dedicated coin shop, we’ve handled everything from a single collectible coin to large estate collections.

What Types of Coins Do We Buy?

We purchase and evaluate a wide variety of coins and precious metal products, including:

  • Gold coins
  • Silver coins
  • Platinum coins
  • American Gold Eagles
  • American Silver Eagles
  • American Gold Buffaloes
  • Morgan Silver Dollars
  • Peace Silver Dollars
  • Walking Liberty Half Dollars
  • Franklin Half Dollars
  • Mercury Dimes
  • Standing Liberty Quarters
  • Pre-1965 U.S. silver coins
  • Proof Sets
  • Mint Sets
  • Certified coins graded by PCGS or NGC
  • Foreign coins
  • Hawaiian Kingdom coins
  • Gold bullion
  • Silver bullion
  • Estate coin collections

Whether you have a single coin or several boxes from an estate, we’re happy to evaluate your collection.

What Makes a Coin Valuable?

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“How much is my coin worth?”

The answer depends on several important factors.

Rarity

Some coins were produced in limited quantities, while others have become scarce because few remain in excellent condition. The rarer the coin, the greater its potential value.

Condition

Condition plays a major role in determining a coin’s value. Even small differences in wear, scratches, or cleaning can significantly affect what collectors are willing to pay.

Precious Metal Content

Many older U.S. coins contain silver or gold. Even common-date coins may be worth much more than their face value because of the precious metal they contain.

Collector Demand

Collector interest changes over time. Some coins become more desirable because of their rarity, historical importance, or growing popularity among collectors.

Every collection is unique, which is why every collection deserves an individual evaluation.

More Than Just Coins

In addition to collectible coins, we also buy and evaluate:

  • Gold bullion bars
  • Silver bullion bars
  • Gold rounds
  • Silver rounds
  • Precious metal ingots
  • Paper currency collections
  • Estate collections
  • Gold and silver investment products

If you’re not sure whether an item has value, bring it in. We’d be happy to take a look and answer your questions.

Honest Evaluations Based on Experience

Evaluating coins involves much more than looking up prices in a guidebook.

Our experienced staff carefully considers:

  • Date
  • Mint mark
  • Condition
  • Precious metal content
  • Collector demand
  • Certification
  • Current market prices

We stay current with both the precious metals market and collector trends so our evaluations reflect today’s marketplace.

Our goal is simple: explain what you have, how we determined its value, and answer every question you may have.

Estate Collections Welcome

Many of the collections we evaluate come from estates. Family members often inherit coins without knowing whether they’re common or rare.

Before selling an inherited collection, it’s a good idea to have it professionally evaluated. Some collections contain overlooked rarities, while others derive most of their value from their gold or silver content.

We’ll carefully review your collection, identify important pieces, and explain what you have. There’s never any obligation to sell.

Why Collectors Trust Kamaʻāina Loan

For nearly 50 years, Kamaʻāina Loan has earned a reputation for honesty, knowledge, and exceptional customer service.

Customers visit us from Wailuku, Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Makawao, Pāʻia, Kula, Haʻikū, and communities throughout Maui because they know they’ll receive straightforward answers and fair evaluations.

We’re proud to offer:

  • Nearly 50 years serving Maui
  • Maui’s only dedicated coin shop
  • Professional XRF precious metal testing
  • Graduate Gemologist on staff
  • Licensed Hawaii pawnbroker
  • Honest, transparent evaluations
  • Confidential transactions
  • Convenient parking behind our Wailuku location

Whether you’re an experienced collector or looking through an inherited collection for the first time, we’ll take the time to explain exactly what you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you buy entire coin collections?

Yes. We purchase collections of all sizes, from a single rare coin to large estate collections.

Do you buy gold and silver coins?

Absolutely. We regularly purchase American Eagles, Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, bullion coins, foreign coins, and many other collectible issues.

Can you identify rare coins?

Yes. We’ll examine your coins for important dates, mint marks, condition, certification, and collector demand to help determine their value.

Do you buy bullion?

Yes. We buy and sell gold bullion, silver bullion, investment bars, rounds, and many popular bullion coins.

Can I get an evaluation even if I’m not ready to sell?

Of course. Many customers simply want to understand what they own before making a decision. We’re always happy to answer questions and provide a professional evaluation.

Visit Maui’s Only Coin Shop

Whether you’re just beginning a collection, selling investment coins, or settling an estate, we’re here to help.

Bring your coins, bullion, or collection to Kamaʻāina Loan in Wailuku for a professional evaluation. We’ll explain what you have, discuss today’s market, and provide a fair assessment based on current values.

For nearly 50 years, Maui residents have trusted Kamaʻāina Loan for honest advice, knowledgeable service, and fair offers. We’d be honored to help you understand the value of your collection, whether you’re buying, selling, or simply curious about what you own.

Why Silver Deserves a Second Look: What Your Silver May Be Worth on Maui

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You May Own More Silver Than You Think

Gold gets a lot of attention, but silver is one of the world’s most important precious metals. Many people own silver coins, jewelry, flatware, or bullion that has been sitting in a drawer or safe for years. They’re often surprised to learn those items may be worth much more than they expected.

After serving Maui for nearly 50 years, we’ve found that people frequently underestimate the value of their silver. Whether it’s an inherited collection, old sterling silver jewelry, or a few silver coins, many items have significant value—especially when silver prices are strong or the pieces have collectible appeal.

Silver Is More Than Just a Precious Metal

Unlike gold, silver isn’t used only for jewelry or investing. It also plays a critical role in modern industry and technology.

Silver is commonly found in:

  • Solar panels
  • Electronics
  • Medical equipment
  • Electric vehicles
  • Telecommunications
  • Batteries
  • Aerospace technology

Because silver has both industrial and investment demand, its price can move differently than gold. Changes in manufacturing, technology, and investor demand all influence the silver market.

What Silver Items Do We Buy?

At Kamaʻāina Loan, we purchase and evaluate a wide variety of silver items, including:

  • Silver bullion bars
  • Silver rounds
  • American Silver Eagles
  • Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
  • Morgan Silver Dollars
  • Peace Silver Dollars
  • Pre-1965 U.S. silver coins
  • Sterling silver jewelry
  • Sterling flatware
  • Silver tea sets
  • Estate silver collections
  • Scrap silver
  • Silver watches
  • Vintage silver collectibles
  • Foreign silver coins

Whether you have a single silver coin or an entire estate collection, we’re happy to evaluate your items.

Not Every Silver Item Is Worth the Same

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“How much is my silver worth?”

The answer depends on several important factors.

Current Silver Price

Silver is traded around the world, and its market price changes throughout the trading day. The current spot price serves as the starting point for every evaluation.

Silver Purity

Not all silver contains the same percentage of pure silver.

Common examples include:

  • .999 Fine Silver
  • .925 Sterling Silver
  • .900 U.S. Coin Silver
  • .800 European Silver

Generally, the higher the silver content, the greater the intrinsic value.

Weight

Silver is weighed using precision scales, typically in grams or troy ounces. In most cases, heavier items contain more silver and therefore have greater value.

Collector Value

Some silver items are worth considerably more than their melt value. Rare coins, certified coins, limited-edition bullion, and collectible pieces may command substantial premiums because of their rarity, condition, and demand among collectors.

Professional Testing You Can Trust

At Kamaʻāina Loan, we use professional X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology to help determine the metal content of many items without scratching, filing, or damaging them.

When evaluating collectible coins, we also consider important factors such as:

  • Date
  • Mint mark
  • Condition
  • Certification
  • Collector demand
  • Current market activity

This allows us to provide a complete and accurate evaluation.

Should You Sell or Keep Your Silver?

Only you can decide what’s best for your situation.

Some customers are ready to sell their silver, while others prefer to hold onto family heirlooms or investment pieces. If you’d rather keep ownership of your valuables, a pawn loan may be an excellent option.

A pawn loan allows you to borrow money using your silver as collateral while retaining ownership. Once the loan is repaid according to its terms, your silver is returned to you.

Why Maui Residents Trust Kamaʻāina Loan

For nearly 50 years, Kamaʻāina Loan has earned the trust of Maui families by providing honest evaluations, straightforward explanations, and professional service.

We’re proud to offer:

  • Nearly 50 years serving Maui
  • Maui’s only dedicated coin shop
  • Professional XRF precious metal testing
  • Licensed Hawaii pawnbroker
  • Confidential transactions
  • Fair, transparent evaluations
  • Friendly local service

Whether you’re selling one silver bracelet or an entire collection, we’ll explain exactly how we arrived at our evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you buy silver coins?

Yes. We purchase silver bullion coins, Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, pre-1965 U.S. silver coins, and many other collectible and investment coins.

Do you buy sterling silver jewelry?

Absolutely. We buy sterling silver jewelry in all conditions, including broken or damaged pieces.

Is tarnished silver still valuable?

Yes. Tarnish usually has very little effect on the value of the silver itself and, in some cases, is preferred by collectors.

Can I get an estimate without selling?

Of course. Many customers simply want to know what they have before making a decision. We’re happy to provide a professional evaluation.

Can I pawn my silver instead of selling it?

Yes. A pawn loan allows you to receive cash while keeping ownership of your silver until the loan is repaid.

Stop By and Let Us Take a Look

Silver often has more value than people realize. Whether you have silver coins, bullion, jewelry, flatware, or an inherited collection, it’s worth finding out what it’s worth.

Bring your silver items to Kamaʻāina Loan in Wailuku for a professional evaluation. We’ll explain the process, answer your questions, and provide a fair assessment based on current market conditions.

For nearly 50 years, Maui residents have trusted Kamaʻāina Loan for honest service, knowledgeable evaluations, and fair offers. We’d be honored to help you discover the value of your silver.

Why Now Is a Great Time to Sell Gold on Maui

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Gold Hidden in Plain Sight

Almost every week, someone walks into our store carrying a small jewelry box, an envelope, or even a paper towel wrapped around a few old pieces of jewelry. They usually begin the conversation the same way:

“I don’t know if any of this is worth anything.”

Sometimes it’s a broken chain that’s been sitting in a drawer for twenty years. Other times it’s jewelry inherited from a parent or grandparent, or pieces that haven’t been worn in decades. More often than not, those forgotten items have real value.

After serving Maui for nearly 50 years, we’ve learned that people are often surprised by what their gold is actually worth.

Why Gold Continues to Hold Its Value

Gold has earned its reputation over thousands of years. Unlike paper currency, it can’t simply be printed, and unlike many investments, it has a long history of maintaining value during uncertain economic times.

When inflation rises, stock markets become volatile, or world events create uncertainty, many investors move money into gold. Increased demand often pushes prices higher, creating opportunities for people who own unwanted jewelry, bullion, or gold coins.

That doesn’t mean everyone should sell immediately. It does mean it’s worth finding out what you own. A professional evaluation costs nothing and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Don’t Judge Gold by Its Appearance

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that damaged jewelry has little or no value.

In reality, buyers are usually interested in the gold itself—not whether the clasp is broken or the chain is tangled.

We’ve purchased:

  • Broken bracelets
  • Single earrings
  • Worn wedding bands
  • Bent rings
  • Outdated jewelry
  • Scrap gold
  • Estate jewelry

What mattered wasn’t how they looked. What mattered was the amount and purity of the gold they contained.

Even if you think an item has little value, it’s worth bringing it in.

What Kind of Gold Do We Buy?

At Kamaʻāina Loan, we regularly evaluate and purchase:

  • Gold jewelry
  • Gold chains
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Gold watches
  • Gold coins
  • Gold bullion
  • Gold bars
  • Estate jewelry
  • Dental gold
  • Gold nuggets
  • Scrap gold

Whether it’s one ring or an entire estate collection, every item is evaluated individually.

How We Determine the Value of Your Gold

Customers often ask how we calculate what their gold is worth. The process is straightforward and transparent.

1. Current Gold Price

Gold trades on international markets throughout the day. The current spot price is the starting point for every evaluation.

2. Gold Purity

We determine whether your jewelry is:

  • 10 Karat
  • 14 Karat
  • 18 Karat
  • 22 Karat
  • 24 Karat

The higher the purity, the greater the percentage of pure gold.

3. Weight

Your gold is weighed using precision scales to determine its precious metal content.

4. Collector Value

Some items—especially rare coins, vintage jewelry, designer pieces, or estate jewelry—may be worth considerably more than their gold content alone.

Professional Testing Without Guesswork

Over the years, we’ve seen customers receive completely different opinions from different buyers.

That’s one reason we invested in professional X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology.

This advanced equipment allows us to analyze many precious metal items without filing, scratching, or damaging them.

Customers are welcome to watch the testing process while we explain exactly what we’re seeing. We believe an informed customer is a confident customer.

Selling Isn’t Your Only Option

Many people assume they have only two choices:

  • Sell their jewelry
  • Keep their jewelry

There’s a third option.

If your jewelry has sentimental value or you’d rather not sell it, a pawn loan allows you to borrow money while keeping ownership of your valuables.

Benefits include:

  • No credit check
  • Fast approvals
  • Confidential transactions
  • Keep ownership of your jewelry
  • Redeem your items when the loan is repaid

For decades, we’ve helped Maui families meet short-term financial needs without requiring them to part permanently with treasured possessions.

Why Maui Families Trust Kamaʻāina Loan

Trust is earned one customer at a time.

For nearly 50 years, Kamaʻāina Loan has proudly served customers from:

  • Wailuku
  • Kahului
  • Kihei
  • Lahaina
  • Makawao
  • Pukalani
  • Kula
  • Haʻikū
  • Pāʻia
  • Communities throughout Maui

Customers appreciate straightforward answers, professional evaluations, and honest service.

 

We’re proud to offer:

  • Nearly 50 years serving Maui
  • Maui’s only dedicated coin shop
  • Licensed Hawaii pawnbroker
  • Graduate Gemologist on staff
  • Professional XRF precious metal testing
  • Confidential service
  • Fair, transparent offers
  • Convenient parking behind our Wailuku store

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I clean my gold before bringing it in?

No. Dirt or tarnish rarely affects the value of the gold, and cleaning may reduce the value of collectible or antique jewelry.

Do you buy broken gold jewelry?

Yes. Broken chains, damaged rings, single earrings, and scrap gold often have significant value.

Do you buy gold coins and bullion?

Absolutely. We purchase many types of gold bullion, investment coins, estate collections, and collectible coins.

Can I get an estimate even if I’m not ready to sell?

Yes. Many customers simply want to understand what they have before deciding what to do.

Visit Kamaʻāina Loan in Wailuku

Whether you have one gold ring or an entire estate collection, we’d be happy to help.

Bring your jewelry, coins, bullion, or estate collection to Kamaʻāina Loan in Wailuku for a professional evaluation. We’ll explain what you have, how it’s valued, and answer your questions without pressure.

For nearly 50 years, our mission has remained the same: provide honest evaluations, fair offers, and the kind of personal service that has earned the trust of generations of Maui families.

From Retail to Resale: A Trend to Slow Down Fashion

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In the world of fashion, consumers are starting to realize that “fast” often means “wasteful.” Fast fashion is the Louis Vuitton pursesbusiness model where clothing designers produce trendy fashion apparel and accessories through a fast and cheap process. These products may be replicas of fashion designs that were featured on the catwalk, or they may be promoted by celebrities and online influencers. But this endless cycle of mass-produced, low-cost goods forces manufacturers to make compromises along the way. Workplace conditions, wages and environmental considerations are ignored to meet consumers’ demand as quickly as possible.

And when the trends move on to some new look, what’s left? These fast fashion designs don’t get the same workmanship or high-quality materials as luxury brands, and the products often aren’t made to outlast the trend.

Sustainability and A Circular Economy

Fortunately, there is a growing trend of fashion-conscious consumers who are making a deliberate effort to embrace shopping with a different mindset. High fashion brands are known for high quality workmanship and these goods can last a long time when cared for properly. Buying a pre-loved handbag puts couture brands in reach for more customers, but this altered behavior benefits more than just the consumers who recognize the cost benefits. It also helps the environment through sustainability and encourages a circular economy.

A circular economy tackles the new threats we are facing today, such as climate change, biodiversity, waste, and pollution. Instead of following a take, make, and waste linear system, a circular economy moves to a reuse, share, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycle goods. This makes it more of a closed-loop system that places less burden on the environment to produce new raw materials.

If everyone does their part, we can make a difference for sustainability. The choices we make when shopping can have multiple advantages not only to our wallet but also to the environment. But shopping with a more thoughtful mindset still requires smart choices. Buying designer or luxury items at a resale location whether it be online or in-person, also has risks, so be sure to shop at a reputable retailer who can authenticate the products they sell.

Kamaaina Loan now has that ability to authenticate brand name purses and handbags for a nominal fee. This gives you the ability to see for yourself the authenticity of a designer handbag. While you’re there, check out their selection of pre-loved Louis Vuitton handbags.

Stuck with Unused Gift Cards – Turn Them in For Cash

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When it comes to gifts, purchasing and giving a gift card makes shopping for any occasion quick, easy, and best of all convenient. On the other hand, if you are the recipient of a gift card and have no plans to use it, you may not realize its value. You may even feel it will only go to waste or it will just collect dust in some corner in your miscellaneous drawer. Before you decide to toss it in the trash, bring it to Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold. We will check the balance with our online system and pay you cash for the value of the gift card. It’s that simple. And since we here at Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold have been in business for 44 years, you know where to go to turn your gift cards in.

 

FAQ:

  • What if I made a minimal purchase but there is still an unused balance? Can I still turn it in? Kamaaina Loan will verify the balance on the card first, then give you cash for that card.

 

  • What if my unused gift card is for a business that is not located on Maui. Can I still turn it in? Yes, Kamaaina Loan will accept a wide variety of gift cards, even for retail or restaurant chains that do not have a local presence on Maui.

 

  • Will Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold also accept VISA gift cards for cash? Yes, VISA gift cards are also welcomed to be turned in for cash.

 

  • What if I cannot remember how much my gift card is worth? Kamaaina Loan will verify the balance with their online system.

 

  • Is there any kind of gift card Kamaaina Loan & Cash for Gold will not accept? Yes, if the card is expired. If you’re not sure, bring it in and we will check it first.

The price of gold is on the rise.

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If you have been keeping up with the news recently, you probably already know that gold prices on Monday hit a record high! This comes as no surprise to us at Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold, having been in the gold business for years. This is what happens when the economy is unstable. Since we have been in this state of flux with the coronavirus pandemic happening around the world for a couple of months now, the price of gold and other precious metals has also been affected.

So, if you have been cleaning up around the house, as we all have been doing, you may have come across some gold or other precious metal pieces that are just collecting dust in some drawer or jewelry box. You may have even considered parting with those pieces. Well, now is the perfect time to head on over to Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold, to get cash for those gold or other precious metal pieces. Our sales team is always friendly to all our customers and will be happy to assist.

Please remember before heading out to Kamaaina Loan & Cash For Gold, bring and wear a face mask. We are diligent about keeping our location safe for our ohana and customers.

Kamaaina Loan interior

Now’s the time to pick up that hobby you’ve been putting off.

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Kamaaina Loan interiorWith this “new normal” in our adjusted lifestyle, you may find yourself with a little extra time on your hands. Now’s the time to start that new hobby you have put off starting. While everyone is spending more time at home, you may feel you could use another electronic device, if so, stop in and visit us. We have a selection of musical instruments such as guitars and a variety of ukulele. We also have electronics such as amplifiers available for sale too, so everyone in your neighborhood can enjoy your new found talent. If you need an extra device, we have iPads and laptops available too.

For those who enjoy their extra time outdoors, living in Hawaii has its benefits where we can enjoy the warm tropical breeze and sunshine all year round. If you are looking for a fun way to get out yet respecting the social distancing, we can help with that too. We also have golf clubs, fishing equipment and other outdoor sports equipment available for sale.

In case you were wondering, yes, we are open for business during this time and we have taken extra precautions to make sure you are safe while shopping with us.

Kamaaina Loan customers with masks

For the safety of our staff and other customers, we ask that you remember to wear your mask when you visit us. If you do not have a mask, we have some disposable ones available. We have also taken extra precautions while you shop by having hand sanitizers available throughout our stores. Additionally, every couple of hours we disinfect the entire store. Plexiglass shields have been installed on our counters to keep our customers and our sales team safe when interfacing with each other and completing a sale.

If you are planning to stop in and shop, Kamaaina Loan is open on Market Street in Wailuku from 9 am to 6 pm Monday – Friday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. We are closed on Sunday. You can also shop with us online. We will be happy to hook you up with something to keep you happy.

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