When visiting Vegas, why not stop by one of the many Vegas pawn shops for a special shopping experience? Here, tourists can browse among unique antiques and collector’s items from local Las Vegas memorabilia to relics from around the world. The history of entertainment and casinos in Las Vegas makes local pawn shops even more interesting than in other cities.

pawn stars vegas pawn shop

The Cast of The History Channel's Pawn Stars from the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas.

On the other hand, pawn shops offer a way for visitors to get their hands on some fast cash to help finance their Vegas vacation. So what is a pawn shop? While banks may take a long time to approve of a loan, a pawn shop makes a great alternative for some quick money. Pawn shops accept valuable items such as jewelry as collateral in exchange for a loan. Customers can also sell old things for some extra money. When taking a loan from a pawn shop, pay attention to related fees and the repayment date. Failure to pay on time may result in the loss of collateral.

Pawn Shops in Las Vegas

Here's a list of some of the best pawn shops in Las Vegas:

  • Ace Loan Co 215 N 3rd St Las Vegas, NV
  • Apache Pawn 4230 N Pecos Rd #12 Las Vegas, NV
  • EZPAWN 3050 E Desert Inn Rd #102 Las Vegas, NV
  • First Class Pawn & Jewelry 4635 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV
  • Gold and Silver Pawn Shop 713 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV
  • Pawn Plus 2416 Tam Drive Las Vegas, NV 89102
  • Super Pawn 5910 W Lake Mead Boulevard Las Vegas, LV

What Will I Find Pawn Shops in Vegas?

Popular items you might buy, sell, or pawn at a Vegas pawn shop include:

  • Vintage cars and motorcycles
  • Jewelry
  • Vintage casino equipment (chips, slot machines, etc.)
  • Celebrity memorabilia (Especially Elvis and Frank Sinatra memorabilia in Vegas)
  • War memorabilia
  • Firearms

The Show That Put Vegas Pawn Shops on the Map

Of course the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop from the History Channel’s show Pawn Stars peaked worldwide interest and really put the Vegas pawn shop industry on the map. The reality series follows the daily activities of the pawn shop, a 24-hour family business operated by patriarch Richard "Old Man" Harrison, his son Rick Harrison, Rick's son Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison, and Corey's childhood friend, Austin "Chumlee" Russell. In 2009,

Pawn Stars became the History Channel’s highest rated show and the number 2 reality show behind Jersey Shore. Since its debut, the pawn shop attracts many visitors, and some days 3 hour lines wind outside of the shop. Pawn Stars also started its own live show in Vegas called Pawn Shop Live!, a comedy spoof of the show featuring live actors, dancers, and puppets.

Pawn Star Favorites

"Old slot machines like this are really popular among casino collectors. Maybe we can rig it up to accept dollar bills. I think we can get at least $1400 for it either way." – Rick Harrison

Vintage Slot Machine

One highlight of the show aired on Season 4, Episode 44 when a man brings in a Jennings Bronze Chief nickel slot machine from the 1930s. During the episode, Rick explains how early slot machines dispensed candy or gum in order to appear legal, but most owners simply exchanged these trinkets for cash to encourage gambling. Famous slot machine symbols, such as lemons, cherries, and the BAR symbol, derive from this era. BAR was an early version of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company's logo.

Find out more Sin City history in Las Vegas through the Years.

So the next time you’re in Vegas, consider stopping in one of the many local pawn shops for a unique shopping experience. With so many people passing through the city, Las Vegas pawn shops offer an especially unique range of items for sale. Take a look at vintage cars or check out some of the autographed celebrity memorabilia. In addition, selling or pawning an item can help finance your dream vacation in Vegas.

Get other great ideas for the perfect Vegas vacation in the Las Vegas Must Do List.