Don't be Taken When You Sell Gold Coins; They're Not Jewelry (2024)

Don't be Taken When You Sell Gold Coins; They're Not Jewelry (1)

Earlier this week we spoke with a prospective customer who was interested in purchasing and selling gold coins much like stocks. He acknowledged that through his online research that most gold coins were selling at a premium of 4% – 6%, which is about right; however, he wanted to purchase gold coins at well below the market rate. When I explained that he’s unlikely to find gold coins at the price that he desired, he went on to explain that he has a friend in the jewelry business that purchases gold coins at rates similar to gold jewelry or “we buy gold” rates. If you’ve ever had the occasion to visit one of these stores, you may know that they typically offer 50% – 60% of the melt value of your gold jewelry. That means that this jeweler has been paying roughly 50% – 60% of the spot price of gold for 1 oz gold coins, which is a crime! In this article, we’re going to address the difference between gold jewelry and coins, why you shouldn’t accept gold scrap prices for your valuable gold coins and what you should expect to receive.

Uncertainty

Even though most gold jewelry is stamped with the carat or purity of the gold, such as 10k, 14k, 18k and 22k, it’s well known within the industry that most gold jewelry doesn’t assay at the designated carat. For instance, most 10k and 14k gold jewelry actually assays at 38% and 54%, respectively when melted and analyzed; whereas, the actual purity should be 41.6% and 58.3%. In other words, you can reasonably expect to lose a few percent from the indicated carat on the jewelry. Additionally, some of the weight of the gold is lost during the melting process, which reduces the final payout from the refinery. On another note, counterfeiters have become increasing adept at producing fake or plated jewelry that passes for legitimate gold jewelry. Even the most experienced of gold buyers will occasionally purchase counterfeit items. Lastly, most gold buyers are required to hold gold jewelry for a period of 30 days before sending the gold to a refinery. The price of gold can fluctuate substantially within a short period of time All of the above factors are reasons why gold buyers typically pay 50% – 60% of the melt value for gold jewelry.

Certainty

With respect to gold coins, the purity or carat of the coin is almost always known by industry buyers; especially with respect to the most frequently traded coins. For more obscure coins, a simple online search will reveal the specifications and actual gold weight (agw) of the item. This information should be available for all government issued gold coins and many privately issued coins. Additionally, rarely are gold coins melted, as they tend to have more value in the form of a coin as opposed to a melted bar of gold, so losing gold weight through the melting process is not a factor. While counterfeiters have become more adept at producing counterfeit gold coins, steps can be taken to confirm the authenticity of gold coins. We’ve previously written an article describing some of the steps that can be taken to avoid purchasing a fake gold coin. Lastly, coins aren’t subject to the same holding requirements as gold jewelry. Some of you may recall the unwanted media attention that Pawn Stars received last year for allegedly purchasing $50,000 of stolen gold coins. As mentioned in the article, gold coins are unidentifiable and can be sold immediately upon acquiring them. Anyone that tells you otherwise is likely misleading you.

What to Expect

As mentioned above, the idea of a gold buyer paying someone 50% – 60% of the melt value of a gold coin is downright criminal! We’re all in business to operate at a profit, but a one day profit of 40% – 50% by taking advantage of someone without knowledge of the industry should be reportable. Now that we’ve established that you shouldn’t accept 50% – 60% of the gold value for your gold coins, what exactly should you expect? Because most gold coins are marketable, we believe that you should sell your coins for as close to the gold value of the items as possible. For example, we purchase generic gold coins (those produced by private mints) at 94% of the gold value of the coins and government issued gold coins at 95% or higher of the gold value. We also pay preferred rates for multiple coin purchases as well as for key date, rare and proof varieties of gold coins. Some of our standard buy rates can be found here.

Summary

In summary, gold coins aren’t gold jewelry and shouldn’t be treated as such. The actual gold weight or gold content of the coins is known or can be easily verified through an online search, so there’s no need to question the purity of the items. Additionally, since most gold coins aren’t melted, but rather sold to other industry folks, gold weight isn’t lost through the melting process. Additionally, while we’re beginning to see more counterfeit gold coins in the industry, an experienced gold coin buyer should be able to verify the authenticity of gold coins by following the helpful steps outlined in our how-to article. Lastly, gold coins aren’t subject to the same holding periods as gold jewelry and can be immediately sold by the purchasing party, so there’s little downside risk with respect to fluctuating gold prices. We hope that you found our article to be helpful and welcome you to contact us if we can be of any further assistance.

Don't be Taken When You Sell Gold Coins; They're Not Jewelry (2)

Tony Davis

Tony Davis is the owner of Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers, a full service Atlanta based coin and bullion dealer specializing in buying, selling and appraising coins and coin collections of all types and sizes.Tony frequently writes on various economic and numismatic related topics affecting the coin and bullion markets and has been published on some of the industry’s leading websites, including Coin Week, the American Numismatic Association, Coin Collector, Coinflation, and Coin Auctions Help, just to name a few.Visit Atlanta Gold & Coin’s website at atlantagoldandcoin.com to obtain additional information on the products, services and educational resources offered by his company. Tony can be reached at sales@atlantagoldandcoin.com or at 404-236-9744

Don't be Taken When You Sell Gold Coins; They're Not Jewelry (2024)

FAQs

How can I sell my gold coins without paying taxes? ›

You can postpone your tax bill via a 1031 exchange. This means that you reinvest money from your gold sale by buying more gold. If you meet the IRS 1031 requirements, your transactions will not be taxed. You only pay the tax after selling the gold for cash.

What happens when you sell gold coins? ›

And since gold is an investment asset, when you sell your gold and make a profit it is taxed as capital gains. Though, depending on how you held your gold, you will either have to pay taxes at the ordinary capital gains rate or at a general rate of 28%.

What do I need to know before selling gold coins? ›

FAQs about selling gold coins
  • The purity of the gold (i.e., how much gold the coin contains)
  • The weight of the gold.
  • The current spot price for gold.
  • Whether or not your coin has any value as a collectible.
Apr 27, 2023

How to safely sell gold coins? ›

Below are 7 Steps to Help You Sell Gold & Silver Coins Safely and For a Profit
  1. “Shop” Around. ...
  2. Know the Spot Price and Value of your Coins. ...
  3. Have your Gold Coin Graded. ...
  4. Know What You Have. ...
  5. Research Going Rates on Different Venues. ...
  6. Be Safe In Person Looking For A Buyer. ...
  7. Be Safe In Person When Completing a Sale.

How much gold can I sell without reporting to IRS? ›

For example, if you sell more than $10,000 worth of precious metals to a dealer, the dealer must file a Form 8300 with the IRS. This form reports cash transactions over $10,000 and is used to combat money laundering and other illegal activities.

Can the government take your gold coins? ›

As collectibles, rare coins do not fall within the provisions permitting confiscation. No federal law or Treasury department regulation supports these contentions. The myth that specific types of gold coins are “not confiscateable” stems from the Executive Order that President Roosevelt issued in 1933 calling in gold.

How much gold can a US citizen own? ›

Physical gold. According to the CBDT's most recent circular, men, regardless of marital status, are only allowed to possess 100 g of real gold in the form of jewelry and ornaments. Married women are allowed to possess 500 g, unmarried women 250 g, and men 500 g.

Is sales tax charged on gold coins? ›

Under California tax laws and regulations, www.boe.ca.gov, a sales tax will apply to any sale of coins or bullion comprised for gold or silver. However, there is an exemption for a single transaction which exceeds $1,500, which does not apply to any paper currency transactions.

Is it better to sell gold bars or coins? ›

Gold coins will command slightly higher premiums over the spot price than gold bars, due to the extra minting costs, and the commemorative nature of their value. Gold bars should be priced very closely to the gold spot price, with just a small additional margin from the mint and merchant.

How much is a 1 oz gold coin worth today? ›

The current ask purchase price for a one ounce American Gold Eagle is: $2,112.90 and the current Monex bid selling price for one ounce Gold Eagle coin is: $2048.1. For full transaction details and transactional service such as price limit orders, feel free to consult with your Monex account representative.

How much can you sell a 1 oz gold coin for? ›

Each Golden Eagle Value is based on its gold content, but it also carries a legal tender value of $50 US (1 oz), $25 US (1/2 oz), $10 US (1/4 oz) and $5 US (1/10 oz). The Golden Eagle's weight, content, and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government.

Are gold coins hard to sell? ›

Gold bullion is the most popular type of gold to hold as an investment or store of value, as it's generally easy to sell, and maintains its value well.

Should you handle gold coins? ›

The best way to protect your gold coins or bars is to not handle them unless it's necessary, but sometimes you might want or need to. Gold is delicate, so to prevent your bullion from being damaged by a hard surface when handling it, place it on a clean towel or cloth on a flat surface.

Which gold coins are easy to sell? ›

These five well-known, easy-to-value coins are an excellent addition to any portfolio.
  • The American Gold Buffalo. ...
  • The Gold American Eagle. ...
  • The Austrian Philharmonic. ...
  • The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.

Is it illegal to own gold coins? ›

Yes, in this country, from 1933 to 1974 it was illegal for U.S. citizens to own gold in the form of gold bullion, without a special license. On January 1, 1975, these restrictions were lifted and gold can now be freely held in the U. S. without any licensing or restrictions of any kind.

Can I write off gold on my taxes? ›

Write-Off Limits for Losses

The maximum amount of loss the IRS allows you to apply to your taxable income with regard to precious metals is $3,000. If you lost more than this amount on gold you bought and then sold, the remaining losses beyond $3,000 can be carried over to the next tax year.

Does the government know if I buy gold? ›

Information the IRS Will Require

When a gold purchase is required to be reported, the dealer will be the one to report it. Form 8300 requires information about the gold buyer, including name, social security number, address, and license number.

Which states do not tax gold purchases? ›

You can buy gold and silver tax-free from Bullion Exchanges online if you are ordering from Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregon. These states do not impose any online sales tax as of 2020.

Are gold coins considered assets? ›

Physical holdings in precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and titanium are considered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be capital assets specifically classified as collectibles.

Are gold coins considered cash? ›

Is Gold Money? Gold can be bought and stored, but it's typically not used as a payment method like cash, according to Investopedia. However, it can be converted to cash in almost any currency. “You cannot easily buy something with a bag or bar of gold, not even with a gold coin.

Can I sell my gold coins to a bank? ›

You may want to simply ask your bank directly if you can sell gold, and in what forms. The only types of gold a bank would accept are those in coin or bullion form (i.e., gold bars), and only those with a letter of authenticity certificate.

How much gold should you keep at home? ›

A married woman is allowed to keep at least 500gm of gold with her. For the unmarried woman, the prescribed quantity is 250gm, said a report by Kotak Life. According to government rules, authorities can not seize ornaments or gold during raid or search operation if the gold quantity is under the prescribed limit.

What percentage of Americans own gold? ›

New Survey Reveals 10.8% of The American Population Owns Gold, While 11.6% Owns Silver.

How much physical gold should I own? ›

Consequently, conventional wisdom recommends holding no more than 10% of your portfolio in gold as part of a well-balanced portfolio. Allocating a slice of gold to your portfolio may help to hedge against inflation. That's because gold has an inverse relationship with the dollar.

What states are taxed on gold? ›

The only states still living taxes on the sale of precious metal bullion are Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Mississippi and Hawaii. The District of Columbia also taxes physical gold and silver purchases. Sales taxes on gold and silver raise investment costs.

How is the sale of coins taxed? ›

Collectibles are considered alternative investments by the IRS and include things like art, stamps, coins, cards, comics, rare items, antiques, and so on. If collectibles are sold at a gain, you will be subject to a long-term capital gains tax rate of up to 28%, if disposed of after more than one year of ownership.

Is there tax on gold or silver coins? ›

These precious metals (as well as platinum and palladium) are seen as capital assets by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the US. Thus, physical gold and silver, no matter the form, are subject to the capital gains tax when selling the metals.

What are the disadvantages of gold? ›

Disadvantages
  • Buying physical gold brings in a problem of storage. ...
  • Gold prices can be volatile in the short run.
  • One may have to pay brokerage fees while purchasing gold ETFs and shares.
  • It has been observed that when the stock market goes up, gold prices go down.

Which gold coin is best to buy? ›

24 Karat gold coins are a better investment than gold jewellery as making charges for coins are cheaper. However, it is highly subjective and depends on for what purpose you are buying gold.

Are gold coins worth more than their weight in gold? ›

The price of a certified gold coin is tied to the coin's weight in gold, but also to its availability and condition.

How much is a Susan B Anthony dollar worth? ›

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Susan B Anthony Coin from 1979 in circulated condition is worth between $1.05 and $1.35. However, on the open market 1979 D Silver Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $1950.

How much is a Kennedy half dollar 1971 worth? ›

1971 D Kennedy Half Dollar Value

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Kennedy Half Dollar from 1971 in circulated condition is worth between $0.60 and $0.75. However, on the open market 1971 D Half Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $3100.

How much is a 2000 P Sacagawea $1 coin worth? ›

2000 P Sacagawea Coin Value

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Sacagawea Coin from 2000 in circulated condition is worth between $1.05 and $1.35. However, on the open market 2000 P Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $375.

How much is a $50 gold eagle worth? ›

Sort by
$50 Gold EaglesValue Range
2020 $50 MS$2,540 - $2,570 $2,540 - $2,570
2021-W Burnished $50 MS Type 2$2,580 - $2,880 $2,580 - $2,880
2021 Type 1 $50 MS$2,540 - $2,570 $2,540 - $2,570
2021 Type 2 $50 MS New Design$2,540 - $2,570 $2,540 - $2,570
53 more rows

How many ounces is $100 gold coin? ›

9999 24-karat gold with a weight of 1 troy ounce. Coin face value - $100.

How much gold can you get with $1,000 dollars? ›

The conversion value for 1000 USD to 42973785.991 GOLD. BeInCrypto is currently using the following exchange rate 42973.786. You can convert USD to other currencies like ETH, XRP or ADA. We updated our exchange rates on 2023/05/24 15:16.

How much do you lose selling gold coins? ›

Gold coins are bought through traditional coin dealers with around 7 to 10 percent 'spread'. That's the difference between the dealers' selling price and their buy-back price. 7 to 10 percent is what you lose when you buy gold as gold coins, and it's a very high transaction cost for a modern investment.

What is the disadvantage of gold coin? ›

Gold is difficult to store

Gold has to be stored and guarded carefully, as it is of high value. If you place your gold coins and jewellery in a bank locker, you must pay locker maintenance charges each year.

Do gold coins lose value? ›

Gold is considered a “safe haven asset” because when prices for other investments, like stocks or real estate, drop sharply, gold doesn't lose its value.

Should you clean old gold coins? ›

Cleaning old coins might seem like a good way to revitalise the appearance of a treasured item, but could in fact reduce a coin's value significantly, and should be avoided. Particularly in the case of old precious metal coins, cleaning them is most definitely not recommended!

Why are gold coins worth more than bars? ›

Gold coins can be more expensive to produce than gold bars due to their intricate design, emphasis on condition and appearance, and thus greater labor and machining costs. Plus, the price of a gold bar is primarily based on its weight.

What should I do with gold coins? ›

If you take care of your gold coins, and properly store them, you have a good chance of maintaining their face value. If you need to liquidate your gold for cash you have a variety of options, including selling them to a dealer, selling them at an auction, or posting them online.

Which gold coin has more value? ›

1787 Brasher Doubloon

In January 2021, an example graded Mint State 65 became the most valuable gold coin in the world — but only for a few months — when it sold for $9.36 million at the same Heritage auction that featured the Plain 4 Draped Bust Eagle.

How does the IRS know if you sell gold? ›

Form 1099-B for Reporting Precious Metal Transactions to the IRS. The 1099 series is a set of forms used to report any profits made by non-corporate sellers. They allow the IRS to prevent many instances of tax evasion. Keeping track of individuals who may be selling items as a source of income is one key focus.

Why is it illegal to own a 1933 $20 gold piece? ›

According to the United States Government, any Double Eagle struck in 1933 could not be legally owned, because none were officially released to the public.

How many gold coins can I sell without reporting? ›

We are required to report sales of 90% silver content US coins that exceed a face value of $1,000, as well as any sales of the previously mentioned gold coins, in which more than 25 pieces have been sold.

Do gold coin dealers report sales to IRS? ›

According to federal tax laws, precious metal dealers are required to report certain sales by their clients. In addition, they are under legal obligation to report any cash payments they may receive for a single transaction of $10,000 or more.

How much gold can a person legally own? ›

Is there any limit on how much gold I can own ? No, there are no restrictions on private gold ownership in the United States.

Does the government track gold purchases? ›

Information the IRS Will Require

When a gold purchase is required to be reported, the dealer will be the one to report it. Form 8300 requires information about the gold buyer, including name, social security number, address, and license number.

Do you have to pay taxes when selling coins? ›

Collectibles are considered alternative investments by the IRS and include things like art, stamps, coins, cards, comics, rare items, antiques, and so on. If collectibles are sold at a gain, you will be subject to a long-term capital gains tax rate of up to 28%, if disposed of after more than one year of ownership.

Do I have to pay taxes on inherited gold? ›

According to the Internal Revenue Service, you'll typically have to pay taxes if you inherit gold. However, there are some exceptions and other considerations to keep in mind as you explore the possibilities with how to pass gold along to loved ones and heirs.

How much will I get if I sell my gold? ›

How much do you get for selling gold? Expect to receive 90% to 95% of the current market value or spot price if you're selling gold coins or bars. How much should I get for selling my gold jewelry? When you sell your gold jewelry, expect to get between 50% and 90% of the melt value of your gold.

Can gold exist in a free state? ›

This is because metals like platinum,gold and silver are noble metals,they do not easily mix with impurities such as silica,potassium etc. And even if they do mix it can be easily separated by adding a acid to it. Hence, these metals are present in free state.

Are US citizens allowed to own gold? ›

Yes, in this country, from 1933 to 1974 it was illegal for U.S. citizens to own gold in the form of gold bullion, without a special license. On January 1, 1975, these restrictions were lifted and gold can now be freely held in the U. S. without any licensing or restrictions of any kind.

Are American Eagle gold coins taxable? ›

American Gold Eagle coins are considered collectibles by the IRS. If you own your Eagles for less than a year and sell them, they are taxed at your personal marginal tax rate. If you hold them more than a year before selling, they are taxed at 28 percent, which is the IRS tax rate for collectibles.

How much gold does $100 buy? ›

The conversion value for 100 USD to 4297378.6 GOLD.

Why is it illegal to own gold bars? ›

When the stock market crashed in 1929, the well-to-do rushed to convert their bank funds to more reliable gold bullion. This left the government without enough gold to back newly printed money. Therefore, President Franklin Roosevelt used his executive powers to make it illegal to own gold coins or bars.

Does the IRS track gold sales? ›

Instead, sales of physical gold or silver need to be reported on Schedule D of Form 1040 on your tax return. 3 Depending on the type of metal you are selling, Form 1099-B must be submitted to the IRS at the time of the sale, as such sales are considered income.

Why are Krugerrands illegal? ›

In 1985, the United States Raegan administration called for the ban of importing Krugerrands in protest of apartheid. This American ban had a significant impact on South Africa's economy. Premiums on Krugerrands fell below those of other competing bullion coins.

Are gold coins tracked? ›

They cannot be tracked electronically, and, in this age of government surveillance, that is increasingly important. Especially given our government's sordid history of misusing data and attempts at gold confiscation. Money Metals Exchange gets lots of questions about the reporting we do on transactions.

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