Whether you are a collector, investor, or inheritor of gold coins, now is a great time to sell, with gold prices at all-time highs and many people in need of cash.
Unlike scrap jewelry, bullion or dental gold, coins are minted and typically stored as an investment or in some cases, a rare collector's item. Most coins are sold just for their weight and purity, but some collectible coins are worth significant money also for their rarity, collectibility, history and other extrinsic qualities.
How do you actually sell a gold coin, anyway? Who buys them, and how much are they worth?
We answer these questions and more below:
- How to sell gold coins
- Where can I sell gold coins for cash?
- Best places to sell gold coins
- FAQs about selling gold coins
How to sell gold coins
1. Learn about the value of your gold coins
If you don’t know what you’re selling, it’ll be very easy to be ripped off by the buyer. Is your gold coin simply bullion, worth its weight and purity at today's value —or is it a rare collectible? These posts can help you understand the value of your coins:
15 common coins worth money
What to do with your coin collection
Start with a Google search, look through listings on ebay and coin collector sites and familiarize yourself with what you have. Understand the markings on your gold to help understand the purity. A Guide Book of US Coins 2023is the Bible of coin collecting.
You might want to invest in a digital scale to understand the true weight of your coin.
2. Check today’s gold price
We update the price of gold here daily:
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce,or$pergram.
At a minimum, your gold coins will always be worth at least the value of the gold that they contain. This will depend on the purity of the metal and the weight of the coin. Once you know this information, which you can find with a quick Google search about the coin, you should be able to quickly figure out the rough value of the coin.
An appraisal from a local jeweler or coin dealer can help further, especially if you believe your coin is rare.
These are some common gold coins in the United States and their value based on current gold prices as of December 1, 2023:
| American Gold Eagle | $2,264 |
| American Buffalo | $2,075 |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | $2,075 |
| Indian Head Gold Eagle | $1,004 |
| South African Krugerrand | $2,264 |
Learn more about the current price for gold and selling gold for cash in this post.
3. Choose a reputable gold buyer
If you need cash immediately, or prefer to deal with local businesses, research local pawnshops or jewelry stores, coin or antique dealers via personal referrals, Yelp and Google reviews. Many communities have quality local business that will offer you a fair price on your gold.
However, if you choose to sell your gold coins to an online gold buyer, you’ll send your coins to them for evaluation and final sale. A reputable gold buyer will pay for insured and trackable shipping with FedEx, UPS or USPS.
4. Get multiple offers
No matter where you sell, be sure to get multiple offers — and do not be shy about negotiating for the highest price.
We recommend CashforGoldUSA because:
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating. TrustPilot verified with 4.2 stars
- Buys all gold, silver and diamonds—no matter the weight or quality
- Up to $100,000 insurance
- 100% highest-offer guarantee, and free shipping both ways
- Get paid within 24 hours of accepted offer — and 3 days total time from requesting a mailer
- 10% bonus if you ship within 7 days
Read more about the pros and cons of CashforGoldUSA in our review, or learn about other quality gold buyers.
Or, see the melt value of your gold coins is at today's gold price >>
This calculator is for information purposes only and is not the amount you should expect to receive. It provides the highest melt value of your gold today, not an offer.Your offer will depend on your appraisal.
Where to sell gold coins for cash
Here are places where you can sell gold coins:
- Coin collectors
- Coin dealers
- ebay
- Antique store / dealer
- Auctions
- Pawnshops
- Online gold and silver buyers
Looking to sell silver coins? Find out where to sell them.
What’s the best place to sell coins “near me?”
In some cases when you have an exceedingly rare or otherwise precious coin, it makes sense to sell a coin collection or rare coin to a dealer, at auction or to an individual collector:
However, a reputable online gold, silver or coin buyer is often the best choice. Not only are these businesses easy to work with (often you can do business from home), they are in a position to offer you a higher rate for your coins since they do not have the overhead of a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer. Also, online competition is fierce, so an online buyer is motivated to make a competitive offer for your coins.
Do banks buy gold coins?
Today’s banks very rarely buy gold coins. In the past, when the United States operated on the gold standard, many banks would accept gold coins and exchange them for paper money when requested. If you want to sell gold coins, you need to find a gold buyer.
Best place to sell gold coins online: CashforGoldUSA
When it comes to selling gold coins that don’t have any value as collectors’ items (or any other type of gold) I recommend selling to CashforGoldUSA, for a few reasons:
- They pay fast: within 24 hours of an accepted offer.
- 100% free shipping and insurance: Door-to-door free, trackable FedEx or USPS shipping, plus free Jeweler's Mutual insurance up to $100,000. Lloyds of London insures the CashforGoldUSA facility.
- Better Business Bureau review of A+
- Pays by your choice: Paypal, print-at-home check, direct deposit, personal check by Fedex or First Class USPS or Virtual Visa credit card.
- Buys all quantity and purity of gold, silver, sterling flatware, as well as diamonds and fine watches
Other online gold coin buyers
Some popular online gold buyers you can consider include the following, but were not included in our recommendation because of online reputations, speed of payment, ease of use of website and other processes, and age of business:
- Liberty Gold and Silver
- Luriya
- Money Metals Exchange
- SellYourGold.com
- US Gold Buyers
- APMEX
- Kitco
- JM Bullion
- American Bullion
- Goldco Precious Metals
- Gold Geek
- Abe Mor
FAQs about selling gold coins
Gold coins are either gold bullion coins, for investments, or rare coins, which can be made of any precious metal, and are often of historical significance. Here are some common questions you might have:
How much are gold coins worth?
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce,or$pergram.
The value of your gold coin will depend on these factors:
- 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
Whether or not your coin has any value as a collectible, it will always be worth at least its weight in gold.
Gold prices are up 14% this year — including reaching an all-time high of 2,072 Dec. 1.
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce,or$pergram.
How much is a gold dollar coin worth?
The retail price for a 1-ounce American Eagle is about $2,072 as of December 2023.
The market price of a gold dollar coin considers several factors, including purity of gold, rarity, weight and condition. Your gold dollar coin’s price may vary from $200 to tens of thousands of dollars for rare, mint-condition gold dollar coins, including American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs and Austrian Ducats.
Do gold coins lose value?
Gold coins lose and gain value based on the current spot price of gold.
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce,or$pergram.
What gold dollar coins are worth money?
Gold dollar coins that are commonly collected and sold include:
- Sacagawea gold dollar coins that were minted 2000-2008 and again with different reverse designs starting in 2009
- Proof Capped Bust $5 Gold Half Eagle
- O Liberty Head $20 Gold Double Eagle
- Roman Proof Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Double Eagle
- Proof Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle
- Indian $10 Gold Eagle
- Draped Bust $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Double Eagle
- Satin Proof Indian $10 Gold Eagle
- Proof $4 Stella Coiled Hair
If you’re ever in doubt as to whether or not your coins have any value as collectibles, there are many (many!) numismatist websites and manuals that you can reference to check the value of your coin before selling. Coin dealers in your area can be helpful in offering an appraisal.
Also, read this post on coin collections, and check out the industry standard for grading coins, The Official Red Book.
Should I get my gold coins graded?
Referred to as certifying, rating, slabbing, or encapsulating, coin grading involves an expert evaluating a coin to determine its condition, authenticity, rarity, and value.
It can cost about $20 to $150 to get a coin graded from either the Professional Coin Grading Service or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, plus you have to pay a membership fee to the grading company.
If your goin is not rare, and is simply an investment, or it is a low value, then grading will not add value to your coin. However rare coins should be graded.
Are gold coins easy to sell?
The answer to this question will depend on whether or not your gold coins have any value as collectibles, such as old or rare coins — as well as those in excellent condition. Coins like these have value on top of the value of the amount of gold that they contain. To get the best deal when selling collectible gold coins, you may need to work with a numismatist or sell directly to a collector, which can take time.
On the other hand, there are many gold coins that have absolutely no value as collector's items. This is particularly true of most modern “investment grade” gold coins, such as:
- American Eagle
- American Buffalo
- Canadian Maple Leaf
- British Britannia
- South African Krugerrand
- Austrian Philharmonic
- and others
When selling these types of coins, you’re essentially just selling them for the value of the gold that they contain. In these instances, it’s pretty easy to sell your coins for scrap. Pawnshops, jewelry stores, consignment shops and “we buy gold” locations near you will buy these types of coins.
Again, CashforGoldUSA, an online buyer, is our top recommendation for selling gold items.
Is it easier to sell gold coins or bars?
It is typically easier to sell smaller units of gold. As such, gold coins, or smaller gold bars, are usually easier to sell than large gold bars.
Bottom line: Where can I sell my gold coins for the best price?
If you have gold bullion coins, or commonly held gold coins like the American Eagle, a site like CashforGoldUSA, a local jeweler, or gold recycler are fine choices. However, rare coins of any precious metal including silver are best sold through a rare coin buyer or rare coin dealer.
However, if you want to sell your gold coins for the best price, we recommend selling to a top online gold buyer like CashforGoldUSA, which guarantees that you’ll receive the best offer from them.
Get a free estimate on your gold coins from CashforGoldUSA >>
Have more items or valuables you are looking to sell? Learn more about what to do with inherited coins.
How much are gold coins worth?
The value of your gold coin will depend on these factors: purity, weight, spot price, and whether or not it is collectible.
How much is a gold dollar coin worth?
The market price of a gold dollar coin considers several factors, including purity of gold, rarity, weight and condition. Your gold dollar coin’s price may vary from $200 to tens of thousands of dollars for rare, mint-condition gold dollar coins, including American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs and Austrian Ducats.
Should I get my gold coins graded?
If your goin is not rare, and is simply an investment, or it is a low value, then grading will not add value to your coin. However rare coins should be graded.
Are gold coins easy to sell?
The answer to this question will depend on whether or not your gold coins have any value as collectibles, such as old or rare coins — as well as those in excellent condition. Coins like these have value on top of the value of the amount of gold that they contain.
Do banks buy gold coins?
Today’s banks very rarely buy gold coins. In the past, when the United States operated on the gold standard, many banks would accept gold coins and exchange them for paper money when requested. If you want to sell gold coins, you need to find a gold buyer.
The article provides a comprehensive guide on selling gold coins, covering aspects from determining their value to finding reputable buyers. Let's break down the concepts and information presented in the article:
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Types of Gold Coins: It distinguishes between gold coins primarily as bullion (investment) and collectible/rare coins. The latter can hold value beyond their gold content due to rarity, historical significance, or collectibility.
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Determining Value: Understanding a coin's value involves assessing its purity, weight, current gold prices, and potential collectible worth. Resources like collector sites, eBay listings, and numismatic guides (such as "A Guide Book of US Coins 2023") assist in this evaluation.
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Current Gold Prices: Highlighting the importance of checking the current spot price of gold, which serves as a baseline for assessing a coin's worth.
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Where to Sell: The article lists various options: local dealers, pawnshops, online buyers, auction houses, and collectors. It emphasizes the importance of obtaining multiple offers and choosing reputable buyers or platforms.
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Reputable Buyers: Recommends platforms like CashforGoldUSA, detailing their features, such as fast payment, free shipping, insurance, and a high-offer guarantee.
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Value Factors: Explores factors influencing a gold coin's worth, including purity, weight, current gold prices, collectible status, and rarity.
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Gold Dollar Coin Values: Provides examples of specific gold dollar coins and their potential market values based on factors like rarity, condition, and mintage.
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Coin Grading: Discusses the concept of coin grading for rare coins, highlighting its relevance in determining value and the associated costs.
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Ease of Selling Gold Coins: Discusses the ease of selling based on the coin's collectible value. Modern investment-grade coins may be easier to sell for their gold content, while rare coins might require specialized buyers.
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Comparison with Gold Bars: Suggests that smaller units (coins) are generally easier to sell compared to larger bars due to their more manageable size.
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Best Places to Sell: Recommends suitable selling platforms based on the type of gold coins (bullion or collectible) for getting the best price.
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Bank Transactions: Notes that banks nowadays rarely buy gold coins, unlike in the past when gold coins were part of the gold standard.
The article provides comprehensive information for sellers, addressing various scenarios based on the nature of the gold coins and offering guidance on evaluating, selling, and understanding the market value of gold coins.
