San Francisco's oldest continuously operating pawn shop (since 1884) offering collateral-based loans on jewelry, watches, and other valuables with no credit check required.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
Maxferd Jewelry & Loan is the oldest continually operated pawn shop in San Francisco and the entire continental United States, having opened in 1884. The shop is located at 201 Kearny Street at the corner of Kearny and Sutter in San Francisco's Financial District. It has earned the reputation of being "the Tiffany of pawn shops" for the quality and integrity of its operations over more than 130 years of business.
Maxferd offers collateral-based loans secured by jewelry, watches, precious metals, diamonds, gemstones, high-end cameras, Apple products, musical instruments, luxury handbags, collectibles, and art. The loan process is streamlined: in-person evaluation, verbal quote within minutes, identification verification, contract signing, and same-day cash payment by cash, wire, or check. New clients receive a special promotional offer of 0%-1% interest with a four-month loan term and roll-over option without additional interest. The shop also provides professional jewelry repair and restoration services performed by in-house jewelers, and operates a layaway program for customers who wish to purchase items over time.
Maxferd distinguishes itself through its unmatched historical longevity, expert in-house jewelry repair capabilities, acceptance of diverse collateral types beyond jewelry, and promotional financing terms (0%-1% APR) that are competitive within the pawn industry. The company emphasizes confidentiality, published application timing, and the absence of credit checks—making pawn loans accessible to those with poor credit or no credit history. Their online presence includes guides for selling luxury watches and designer handbags, positioning them as knowledgeable brokers.
However, pawn loans remain short-term, high-risk financial products. While Maxferd's rates are competitive, borrowers must be prepared to lose their collateral if they cannot repay within the loan term. The promotional 0%-1% rate applies only to new clients and single loans under $2,500, limiting its applicability. Store hours are limited (closed Sundays, weekday closing at 6 PM), and while the company does not report non-repayment to credit bureaus, this also means successful repayment does not build credit history. Pawn lending should not be considered a substitute for traditional credit access.
This is state-level context for Pawn Shops consumers in San Francisco, CA. It does not confirm that Maxferd Jewelry & Loan or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)
Consumer protection
Short-term lending status: Legal
General rate context: 10% for personal/consumer loans (Article XV, CA Constitution); payday loans capped at $15 per $100
California regulates payday loans at a maximum of $300 with a $45 fee cap. The DFPI oversees all consumer lending and enforces the California Consumer Financial Protection Law. Consumers have strong rights under the state's comprehensive lending regulations, including the ability to file complaints online with the DFPI.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Maxferd Jewelry & Loan offers 10 services including Collateral-based pawn loans on jewelry, watches, precious metals, diamonds, and gemstones, Pawn loans secured by high-end cameras, Apple products, laptops, and computers, Pawn loans secured by musical instruments, luxury handbags, collectibles, and art, Professional in-house jewelry repair and restoration (cleaning, polishing, stone setting, sizing, plating, link repair), Jewelry evaluation and appraisal services, and 5 more.
Maxferd Jewelry & Loan has profile signals associated with Individuals with poor or no credit history who are researching short-term cash access and have valuable collateral they can temporarily part with, People seeking short-term loans with eligibility claims to verify or lengthy approval processes (financial emergencies), Consumers with jewelry, watches, or luxury items who need appraisal, repair, or sale services from a reputable expert.
Key strengths: Oldest continuously operating pawn shop in the continental United States (since 1884), establishing credibility and trust; New client promotional offer of 0%-1% interest on loans under $2,500 with four-month terms and roll-over options—competitively low rates for the pawn industry; eligibility claim to verify; non-repayment is not reported to credit bureaus, making it accessible to those with poor or no credit. Areas to consider: Promotional 0%-1% rate applies only to new clients and single loans under $2,500, significantly limiting eligibility; Pawn loans are short-term; failure to repay within the loan period results in loss of collateral, creating real financial risk.
In the Pawn Shops category, comparable providers include Money Mizer Pawns and Jewelers of Jacksonville, FL (ACME), Monte de Piedad Pawn Shop, Western Loan & Jewelry Exchange. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Maxferd is profile signals for individuals with valuable collateral and poor/no credit comparing emergency-cash timing with eligibility claims to verify or lengthy approval process. The critical caveat is that pawn loans are inherently risky: failure to repay means permanent loss of your collateral, and the promotional 0%-1% rate only applies to new clients borrowing under $2,500—most borrowers should verify actual terms before proceeding.
Money Mizer Pawns and Jewelers operates two Jacksonville locations offering collateral-based loans, jewelry sales, and firearms dealing through licensed FFL status.
Google rating from 108 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with valuable personal items (jewelry, electronics, firearms) seeking short-term cash access, Customers looking to purchase discounted used merchandise via eBay or in-store
Monte de Piedad is a pawn shop offering collateral-based loans against jewelry, gold, electronics, and other valuables with short-term cash access.
Google rating from 810 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with valuable items who are researching emergency-cash timing, Individuals with poor or no credit history unable to qualify for traditional loans
East LA pawn shop since 1964 offering collateral-based loans, gold and jewelry buying, and retail resale. Same-day cash with eligibility claim to verify.
Google rating from 2,252 reviews
Profile signals: East LA residents who need same-day cash and own jewelry, gold, watches, or luxury goods, Individuals selling or liquidating gold, coins, diamonds, or designer handbags for cash
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