When gold and the euro tug at each other: what to check at the pawn counter

You step up to the counter with a small tin. Inside is a thin bracelet and a folded receipt from a coin shop. The seller fidgets while you glance at the metal under the lamp. A chart in the back room shows gold moving against the euro and your mind jumps to price guesses.

• Check weight and karat first, then purity marks.

• Look for wear that hides hallmarks or solder joints.

• Test one small spot with a magnet-free kit or acid test if you can.

• Count coins and note mint marks before sorting.

• Ask when the seller bought it and what they paid.

• Consider holding for a day if the price feels off.

• Offer a firm, polite price and explain your checks.

Scene to reality: why a big market story matters here

That chart about gold and the euro sounds far away. But it can change what a coin or bracelet is worth today. You don’t need to read charts. You need to know how market moves show up at the counter. When currency moves or gold trends higher, sellers expect more. That changes bargaining and who shows up selling.

Quick checks that save you time

Start with the obvious. Look for karat stamps like 9K, 14K, 18K or 750. Weigh the piece. Use a loupe to find tiny marks. Check for heavy solder or two-tone metal; that can hide plating. For coins, note the year and mint mark. Old coins can be worth more than melt value.

Bring a small test kit. An acid test gives a quick read on gold content. A magnet tells you if steel is present. If you can’t test on site, ask to hold the piece for a short watch to inspect under a lamp. If the seller refuses quick checks, that is a red flag.

Pricing practice: how to think about trends without charts

You don’t need to predict markets. Use simple rules. If gold has been climbing and the euro is weak, expect sellers to aim higher. If prices have been flat, offers will be tighter. For coins, compare recent local sales, not international headlines. Your goal is a fair local price you can resell or part with without regret.

Micro-moment: You ask a seller why they’re selling. They say they need cash quick. You spot a small scratch covering a hallmark. You politely say you need to verify purity and ask for a minute to test.

Inspection deep-dive for the common items you see

Jewellery: Look where chains connect and behind clasps. Those spots hide wear or repair. If a piece is hollow, its weight will be low versus its size. For hollow pieces, factor that into price.

Coins and bars: Surface marks can lower collector value but not metal value. For bullion, purity and weight matter most. For rare coins, condition and scarcity can trump melt price. Keep clear notes on coin types you buy often.

Watches and tech that mention gold: Often only small parts are gold-plated. Open backs carefully only if you know what to look for. Many watches say gold-filled or gold-plated — those are worth much less than solid gold.

Negotiation levers and common red flags

Use small, calm moves. Offer slightly below your target to leave room. Point to weight and test results as objective reasons. If the seller refuses testing, say you’ll need a firm discount.

Red flags: No hallmarks and no willingness to test. Stories that change on the fly about where the item came from. Pieces with modern repairs that hide marks.

Bottom line: buy what you can test and explain your price for. Walk away from mystery pieces.

When weight and purity are settled, you can talk style and stones without guessing.

Today’s takeaway: Test for weight and purity, use recent local prices, and let objective checks guide your offers.