Where to sell old coins
Guide
Sending photos doesn't commit you to sell
Where can I sell old coins, and who buys them?
Sell to a coin dealer, a pawn shop or the dealers at a coin show, consign rare coins to an auction house, or sell them online yourself. A bank or a coin-counting kiosk counts coins only at face value.
1. Who buys old coins and collections
Each kind of buyer works differently and asks something different of you.
- A coin dealer buys coins to resell, from a single coin to a whole collection. Selling to one usually means no shipping and no minimum.
- A pawn shop buys items and also lends money against them. A pawn loan is not a sale: you repay it, with interest, within a set time to get the coins back.
- An auction house sells coins for you to bidders and is usually suggested for rare coins or valuable collections. You pay a commission, many houses have a minimum, and payment can take months.
- On an online marketplace you sell the coins yourself, handling photos, listings, shipping and any problems, and you may pay listing or selling fees.
- At a coin show, many dealers have tables in one place, so you can show your coins to several in one trip, though you may have to travel.
Getting more than one offer is normal.
2. Do banks buy old coins?
A bank takes old coins as money, not as collectibles. U.S. coins of any age count at face value, the amount stamped on the coin. Ask your bank whether it accepts coins.
The Federal Reserve notes that some coins also have collector value, and suggests asking a coin dealer.
A coin-counting kiosk, found in some grocery stores, counts coins as change too, and taking cash can carry a fee. One kiosk company says its machines can't accept Eisenhower silver dollars, 1943 steel pennies, pure silver or commemorative coins, and may not return them.
Check a jar of change for older coins first.
3. Before you sell anywhere
Whichever buyer you choose:
- Don't clean anything. Our guide on why you shouldn't clean your coins explains why.
- Keep coins in their sets, albums, holders and Mint packaging. The U.S. Mint says modern coin sets and coins should be sold in their original cases and capsules.
- Leave graded coins sealed. Major grading services stand behind a grade only while the coin stays inside an unopened holder.
- Sort out which coins are silver, using our guide on how to tell if a coin is silver.
4. Getting more than one offer
Getting more than one offer is normal. If an offer doesn't suit you, you can turn it down and show the coins to another buyer.
For a valuable collection, the American Numismatic Association suggests having more than one dealer look at it.
Before you agree, ask what the offer covers and what comes out of it, such as fees or shipping. Once you agree to a sale, it is final.
5. Selling to us
Send photos here on our website or on our Facebook Page. We pay cash.
Sending photos doesn't commit you to sell, and you can turn down any offer. We never ask you to ship items or pay anything up front.
