Selling Rare Coins: Where to Begin
Rare coins are coins that collectors value for more than their metal. They include early U.S. silver and gold coins, key dates and scarce mintmarks, coins in very high grades, errors and varieties, and pattern and territorial pieces. Two coins that look almost alike can differ in value many times over, depending on the date, the mintmark and the condition. Knowing how to sell rare coins the right way helps you find out what you really have and get a fair price for it.
Founded in 1990, American Rarities has purchased over $400 million in rare coins, paper currency and collectibles, and we are an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer. This guide explains what makes a coin rare, what buyers look for, how a sale works and what to expect when you sell. Along the way, it links to our guides on how to determine the value of your rare coins, mistakes to avoid when selling rare coins and how to find the best rare coin dealer. At the end, you will find how to get a free appraisal.
What Makes a Coin Rare and Valuable?
Rarity alone does not set a coin’s value. A coin is valuable when few examples survive in the condition collectors want, and many collectors want one. These are the main factors:
- Date and mintmark. Some years and mints made far fewer coins than others. A small mintmark, such as CC for Carson City, can make a common-looking coin scarce.
- Survival. Many old coins were melted, lost or worn down. The number that survive today, especially in high grades, matters more than the number made.
- Grade. Condition is often the largest factor. The difference of a single grade point can change a coin’s value a great deal.
- Eye appeal and originality. Collectors pay more for coins with original surfaces, attractive toning and a strong strike.
- Varieties and errors. Doubled dies, overdates and mint errors can be worth far more than normal coins of the same date.
- Demand. Popular series, such as early U.S. coins, Morgan dollars and classic gold, attract many collectors.
Our guide on how to determine the value of your rare coins goes into more detail.
What Rare Coin Buyers Look For
When an experienced buyer examines a rare coin, the first questions are whether it is genuine, what grade it is and whether it has any problems. A buyer looks for:
- Authenticity. Counterfeits and altered dates are common for valuable coins, so an expert checks the weight, the details and the surfaces.
- Grade. Buyers grade coins on the 70-point Sheldon scale used by the grading services.
- Problems. Cleaning, scratches, rim damage and repairs all lower the value. The 1839-C half eagle shown here was graded as improperly cleaned.
- Certification. Coins certified by PCGS, NGC or ANACS are easier to sell, because their grade and authenticity are guaranteed.
Never clean a rare coin before you sell it. Our article on why cleaning your coins is not recommended explains why, and our guide to the differences between PCGS, NGC and ANACS explains how the grading services work. If you are not sure whether a coin is worth grading, see our page on rare coin grading services.
How Selling Rare Coins Works
There are several ways to sell rare coins. Each has its own costs, timing and risks.
| Way to sell | What to know |
|---|---|
| Sell to a reputable dealer | Fast and simple. You get a written offer and are paid right away, with no listing fees or waiting. |
| Public auction | Can suit a few very rare coins, but auctions charge fees, take weeks or months and do not guarantee a price. |
| Sell online yourself | You set the price, but you take on the photos, listings, fees, shipping and the risk of fraud. |
| Local shops and shows | Convenient, but offers vary widely, and a general buyer may not know the value of rare coins. |
For most sellers, the best approach is to get a free appraisal and an itemized written offer from an experienced rare coin dealer, then compare it with other offers if you like. See our pages on the best place to sell rare coins and selling a rare coin.
What to Expect When You Sell Rare Coins
When you sell your rare coins to American Rarities, you can expect:
- A free appraisal by experts. We examine each coin for authenticity, grade and problems. There is never a fee for our appraisal, and appraisals are usually done within 24 hours.
- A free grading opinion. We can tell you whether any of your coins are worth sending to PCGS, NGC or ANACS before you sell.
- A written, itemized offer. We list each coin with our price, so you can compare our offer with others. No one pays you more.
- A choice of how to sell. You can ship your coins to us fully insured at our expense, or for larger collections we can meet you at your bank. If you decline, we return your items fully insured.
- Fast payment. When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.
If your rare coins are part of a larger collection, see our guides on how to sell a coin collection, how to sell gold coins and how to sell silver dollars, or browse all of our how-to-sell guides.
Ready to Sell Your Rare Coins?
Whether you have one rare coin or a lifetime collection, the steps are the same: leave the coins as they are, find out what makes each one valuable, get a free appraisal and compare written offers. We have bought rare coins from collectors, families and estates since 1990, and we would be glad to help you.
How We Buy Rare Coins
Send Photos and/or a List
Send us clear photos of both sides of each coin, a list, or both. For certified coins, include the grading service, the grade and the certification number. Text them to 720-600-4740, email staff@americanrarities.com or use the form further down this page.
Free Grading Opinion
We tell you which of your coins may be worth certifying with PCGS, NGC or ANACS and which are best sold as they are.
Free Appraisal and Written Offer
We send you a free, no-obligation written offer that lists each coin with our price. Appraisals are usually done within 24 hours, and you are welcome to compare our offer with others.
Ship or Meet
Ship your coins to us fully insured at our expense, or for larger collections we can meet you at your bank. If you decline our offer, we return your items fully insured.
Get Paid
When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, whichever you prefer. There is never a fee for our appraisal.
American Rarities holds a 4.7-star Google rating and an A+ rating with the BBB, we are ANA Life Members, and we are an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer. Learn more on our pages to sell my rare coins and to find the best place to sell rare coins.
You can also call 800-622-5680. Calls go to our answering service, so leave a message and we will call you back. Or visit our contact a rare coin buyer page.
How to Sell Rare Coins: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to sell rare coins?
Leave the coins as they are, get a professional appraisal and an itemized written offer from an experienced rare coin dealer, and compare offers if you like. Selling to a reputable dealer is usually faster and simpler than an auction or selling online yourself.
How do I know if my coins are rare?
Check the date and mintmark, the condition and whether the coin is a known variety or error. Price guides give a rough idea, but a professional appraisal is the most reliable way to know which of your coins are rare and what they are worth.
Should I get my rare coins graded before I sell them?
Not always. Grading by PCGS, NGC or ANACS adds the most value to coins where the grade makes a large difference. We can give you a free grading opinion and tell you whether any of your coins are worth certifying.
Should I clean my rare coins before selling them?
No. Cleaning almost always lowers a rare coin’s value, sometimes by a great deal. Grading services give cleaned coins a details grade instead of a regular grade. Leave your coins exactly as they are.
Is it better to sell rare coins at auction or to a dealer?
An auction can suit a few very rare coins, but it charges fees, takes time and does not guarantee a price. A dealer gives you a written offer and pays you right away. Many sellers get a dealer offer first so they know what their coins are worth.
Do you buy certified and uncertified rare coins?
Yes. We buy rare coins certified by PCGS, NGC and ANACS, as well as raw coins that have never been graded, from single coins to large collections.
How do you pay when I sell my rare coins?
When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, whichever you prefer. Appraisals are usually done within 24 hours, there is never a fee for our appraisal, and if you decline, we return your items fully insured.
Free Rare Coin Appraisal and Offer
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
