Ep 1. Close Encounters of the Pawn Kind

In season 18 episode 1 of Pawn Stars titled "Close Encounters of the Pawn Kind", the world-renowned pawn shop, Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, is back with another interesting episode that examines the value of interesting items that come through the doors of the shop in Las Vegas. In this episode, viewers are introduced to an interesting collection of items that are sure to capture their attention.

The episode begins with the arrival of a Star Trek toy phaser that the shop is eager to purchase. The item has been a hot topic among collectors of science fiction memorabilia, and Rick and Big Hoss are excited about the toy's potential value. However, they soon realise that the phaser may have some problems, which could affect its overall value. They have to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision to purchase, and the dilemma provides an excellent opportunity to see how Rick and his team evaluate the value of an item.

Next in line is a vintage Bally pinball machine from the 1960s that has been brought to the shop by a seller looking to make a quick buck. The pinball machine is in excellent shape, and the seller claims that it has a special feature that makes it worth a lot of money. However, Rick is sceptical about the machine, and he calls in a Pinball enthusiast to evaluate the machine and determine if it is worth the asking price. As Rick learns more about the machine, he is surprised to discover that it is worth more than he initially thought, and he and the seller negotiate a deal.

Later in the episode, a man walks into the shop with an antique 19th-century shotgun. The shotgun is an interesting piece of history that the pawn shop has never seen before. The man explains that the gun has been in his family for generations, and he is reluctant to part with it. However, he needs the money, so he is willing to sell it if the price is right. Rick and Chumlee have to do some research on the shotgun to determine its value and to make sure that the gun is authentic. They turn to an expert in the field who examines the shotgun and provides them with an evaluation. The seller is pleased with the offer he receives, and Rick and Chumlee are happy to add this valuable piece of history to their collection.

Finally, a seller walks into the shop with a collection of autographed Star Wars trading cards. The cards are in great condition, and Rick and Chumlee are interested in buying them. However, the autographs on the cards make them worth a lot of money, and the seller knows this. Rick and Chumlee proceed with caution as they do not want to overpay for the cards. They try to work out a deal with the seller that is fair for both parties and provide viewers with an inside look at how they negotiate a price with a seller.

Overall, season 18 episode 1 of Pawn Stars titled "Close Encounters of the Pawn Kind" is an interesting episode that provides viewers with an inside look at how the pawn shop evaluates the value of items that come through their doors. The show is full of interesting items and the interactions between the pawn shop employees and sellers are both entertaining and informative. Fans of the show are sure to enjoy this episode.