A Pawn My Word

One of the top free attractions on N. Las Vegas Blvd., Gold & Silver Pawn is surely the world's most famous pawn shop, thanks to being immortalized on History Channel and, now, parodied in the comedy revue Pawn Shop Live, which debuted at the Golden Nugget before retooling for a move to the Riviera. At peak times you can expect to wait in line just to get inside the shop. Those hoping to catch sight of the TV shows' star personalities are likely to be disappointed, although a few years ago my friend Steps managed to have her picture taken with Chumlee, so you never know. That same visit I

picked up a DVD of Prime Cut for a few bucks, but you won't find such low-level hock-shop fare there today. If you're shopping for coins or funky antiques, you're in luck. Yes, you can find items for sale that were featured on an episode of Pawn Stars: 19th-century barbed wire, anyone? If you have a few grand to blow, there are signed and numbered limited-edition Picasso and Chagall prints hanging in the back of the store. 1873 boxed edition of Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea? Check. 1866 copy of American Card Player: A Lone Hand, Featuring Euchre, Whisk & Bazique Card Games? Check. Tony Curtis's autograph? Check. The shop is open 24 hours, but if you're dropping by desperate to hock something in the wee hours, that means a walk-up window is available. If they're not in the market for what you're selling, they'll readily recommend another shop, or in some cases one of the specialists who appear as consultants on their show.