Event open to public Friday and Saturday

Individuals with sterling sets, old tea sets, scrap gold and silver, and U.S coins that are 1964 and older have a chance to make some cash.

The Ohio Valley Gold and Silver event will be open through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Gold and silver markets have not been this strong for over 30 years,” said Dennis Kouts, event spokesperson.

The event is set up in the lobby at the Ironton City Center. During the event, anyone in the community can connect with collectors from around the world. The event specialists make offers based on rarity, collectability, condition and market value.

“They can come in and sit down, they get paid on the spot,” Mike Jones, event manager, said. “There are no fees or taxes.”

A few recent finds from collectors have included a rare gold coin collection that was purchased for $107,000 and a letter written by George Washington to the doctor of his wife expressing his disdain toward the doctor’s actions regarding her treatment.

Also at a recent show in Ohio, a local resident brought in a letter from Abraham Lincoln that she thought was a fake . She walked out of the show with $25,000 after finding out that it was an authentic letter.

The event is able to offer good prices because it as its own refinery. Refineries typically do not do business with the public but rather deal with precious metal accumulators like jewelry stores, pawnshops, dentist offices or industrial facilities.

There are no appointments needed for the general public to sell their items. The event is free and there is no limit to the number of pieces that can be brought in.

For more information, contact Mike Jones at 1-217-737-7585.