Named for a governor in 1801, and still dotted with farms
Howell was set off as a township in 1801 and named for Richard Howell, New Jersey's governor at the time. Wall Township was carved out of it in 1851, and for most of the next century Howell stayed farm country; by the middle of the 1900s the land around Farmingdale was known for its poultry and egg farms. The subdivisions came in waves after that, and the 2020 census counted about 53,500 people.
There is no single downtown, so people here name their section instead: Ramtown in the southeast corner, Freewood Acres with its Kalmyk Buddhist temples, Adelphia and Southard, Squankum toward the Wall line, and the neighborhoods around the Manasquan Reservoir off Windeler Road, where the five mile trail around the water fills up on weekends. Allaire State Park spills over the eastern edge, Route 9 runs down the west side, and Interstate 195 crosses the north.
Howell High class rings, park and ride watches and coffee cans of silver
Many Howell teenagers go to Howell High School in the Freehold Regional district, and the class rings from those years turn up in nearly every jewelry box we see from the township: usually 10K at 41.7 percent gold, sometimes 14K at 58.5. Then come the pieces a commuter household collects. A lot of Howell rode the bus into the city from the park and ride on Route 9 for years, and the dress watch retired after the last trip is a regular on our counter, along with wedding bands and the chain that broke and never got fixed.
Longtime farm families who are downsizing tend to bring a whole collection at once: a pocket watch, a coffee can of dimes and quarters, gold bands from three generations. Coins dated 1964 or earlier are 90 percent silver, and each one is still checked for date and mint mark before any melt figure. The coin buying page explains how that is done, and the silver buying page covers sterling at 92.5 percent against plate.
Found locally, in a customer's own words
“These guys are great! Sean is amazing! I was looking to sell some gold jewelry and they offered very reasonable pricing. he explained the entire process step by step. Everything is done in front of you. No tricks no hidden fees. Just a straight up friendly interaction and very clear. Glad I found them locally. Totally recommend them! Side Note - Cool Memorabilia on display.”
Victor, five-star Google review of Cash 4 Gold Trading Post in Farmingdale
Three bags and the coffee can
One bag for anything stamped 10K, 14K, 18K, 417, 585 or 750. One for sterling and 925. One for the pieces with no mark you can make out; a lot of real gold never had one, and the XRF analyzer answers the question in seconds, backed by an acid test. Leave the coins in the can or the rolls they came in, dirt and all, because a cleaned coin loses more than it gains. Watches travel with their links and boxes.
If the whole farmhouse is being cleared, the estate buyers service can look at a full collection on site, and the New Jersey estate jewelry guide sets out what an executor needs.
Local roads only: getting to Main Street, Farmingdale
From Ramtown and the Lakewood side of the township, Lakewood Farmingdale Road, County Route 547, runs north straight into Farmingdale. From the Route 9 side, Route 33 carries you east toward the borough. From Freewood Acres, Squankum or the reservoir it is a short run on county roads. The store is at 68 Main St, Unit 3, with parking at the door.
Which Howell sections and neighbors do we hear from?
Every one of them: Ramtown, Freewood Acres, Adelphia, Southard, Squankum, the developments along Route 9 and the streets around the Manasquan Reservoir. Farmingdale itself is mostly a walk-in crowd, and sellers from Wall, Freehold Township, Jackson, Lakewood and Colts Neck come to the same counter.
What do Howell sellers set on the counter?
Class rings, silver coins and watches lead the list. Pick a category to see how each is judged.
What happens once you walk in on Main Street
Set the bags down and show your ID. Gold goes under the XRF analyzer one piece at a time, sterling gets separated from plate, and the coin can is sorted by date before anything is weighed. The certified scale faces you, and the offer follows that day's live market, with any collector or diamond value called out separately. Take it and you leave with cash. Turn it down and it costs you nothing.
A Howell High class ring, a can of old silver coins, a watch from the park and ride years? Farmingdale is right in the middle of Howell, and the testing is free.
📞 Get a Free Appraisal: (732) 489-1314Howell cash for gold: frequently asked questions
Is the Farmingdale store actually in Howell?
Farmingdale is its own borough, but Howell Township surrounds it on every side, so the store at 68 Main St, Unit 3 sits in the middle of Howell. From most Howell addresses it is a short local drive. Phone (732) 489-1314.
Which road should I take from Ramtown or the Lakewood side of Howell?
Lakewood Farmingdale Road, County Route 547, runs north straight into Farmingdale. From the Route 9 side of the township, Route 33 heads east toward the borough.
What are the Farmingdale store hours?
Monday through Friday from 10 to 6 and Saturday from 11 to 4, closed Sunday. No appointment is needed. Bring a valid government photo ID, which New Jersey requires for every precious-metals sale.
Are old silver dimes and quarters worth bringing in?
Yes. US dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90 percent silver. Each one is still checked for date and mint mark in case it is worth more to a collector than as metal.
Is a Howell High class ring real gold?
Almost always. Class rings are usually 10K, which is 41.7 percent gold, or 14K at 58.5 percent. The karat is read by XRF and the ring is weighed where you can see it. A lab-made stone adds nothing, but it does not get in the way of buying the gold.
Do you also buy from Wall, Freehold Township and Jackson?
Yes. Sellers from Wall, Freehold Township, Jackson, Lakewood and Colts Neck all use the same Farmingdale counter.
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