What valuable items should you set aside before scrapping anything?
Short answer: Set aside anything that could be worth more than its metal, including silver and silverware, jewellery, brass and bronze ornaments, antique tools and clocks, medals, coins, tins and decorative items, and old machinery or vehicles that might have collector interest, because items that look like scrap can be valuable, and a quick valuation costs far less than losing something irreplaceable.
Ready to sell? Compare offers from verified buyers who collect.
List Free →Things that look like scrap but are not
Silverware, brass and bronze pieces, antique tools and decorative metalwork can be worth far more than their metal.
Sentimental items
Tools used for a lifetime, trophies and keepsakes may matter more to the family than any price, so ask before they leave.
When to get a valuation
If you are unsure, a local valuer or specialist dealer can tell you quickly whether something deserves to be sold as an antique or collectable.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade is for genuine scrap, and items of possible value are best valued before you list anything.
One less job to worry about. ScrapTrade connects families with verified buyers who can collect, with transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.
List or Find Scrap on ScrapTrade →Practical, sensitive answers on selling scrap metal when you are clearing a family home or an estate.