Your Trusted Coin Dealer in California
Looking for a California coin dealer? Sell Gold Rush coins, silver, rare US currency & bullion for top dollar!
Free statewide appraisals. Contact our expert buyers!
From the storied era of the California Gold Rush, leaving behind a legacy of valuable gold coins and bullion, to the diverse collections of numismatists across the Golden State, American Rarities offers California residents a trusted, convenient, and expert service to understand and realize the worth of their rare coins, precious gold and silver bullion, and historical U.S. paper currency.
If you’re searching for a reputable California coin buyer or a place to sell your Gold Rush-era coins and bullion, our dedicated team of seasoned numismatic professionals provides complimentary, no-obligation evaluations throughout California. Whether you’re a dedicated coin collector, have inherited numismatic treasures with California mining history or early Spanish coinage, or possess bullion or paper money you’re ready to sell, discover the American Rarities advantage: your reliable partner for a secure and rewarding selling experience in California. Get started today by sending us an inventory list and/or clear pictures of your collection for a free coin appraisal!
Always Paying More For Your Rare Coins
Why Choose Us as Your California Coin Dealer?
When the time comes to sell your valuable numismatic items in California, choosing a coin dealer with a strong reputation, extensive knowledge, and a commitment to fair transactions is paramount. Here’s why individuals across California consistently choose American Rarities as their preferred coin buyer and precious metals dealer:
Expert Appraisals by Experienced California Coin Dealers:
Our nationwide network includes specialists well-versed in the diverse range of numismatic items found in California, from Gold Rush relics to modern rarities, ensuring accurate valuations based on current market conditions. Whether you’re looking to sell a single rare coin or an entire inherited collection, our experts are here to help.
Convenient Statewide Options for Selling Your Collection:
From Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Diego to Sacramento, and everywhere in between, we offer flexible selling solutions, including private in-person meetings with our experienced California coin buyers and secure mail-in service. We aim to make the process as easy as possible for all California sellers.
Fast Payment You Can Rely On When Selling Your Assets:
Receive prompt payment upon acceptance of our offer to buy your collection, via your preferred method.
Honest and Transparent Evaluations with No Hidden Fees:
Our appraisal service is free, and we operate with complete transparency, with no hidden fees or commissions. We believe in honest and straightforward transactions, ensuring the offer we present is the full value you’ll receive for your rare coins, gold, or paper money.
Trusted Expertise Backed by Over Three Decades of Experience:
Benefit from our 30+ years in the rare coin, bullion, and paper money industry. American Rarities has built a strong reputation for expertise and integrity.
Secure Transactions with Your Privacy as Our Priority:
We prioritize your security and confidentiality. Our private in-person meetings are conducted discreetly, and our secure mail-in service utilizes fully insured packages with real-time active tracking, providing you with complete peace of mind when you sell your valuable coins.
Dedicated Support for California Collectors and Inheritors:
We understand the needs of both experienced coin collectors and those new to selling inherited coin collections. Our team is committed to providing respectful, knowledgeable, and attentive support, guiding you through the coin selling process.
What a Satisfied California Seller Had to Say:
"Even though I'm in a smaller town outside of Sacramento, American Rarities made selling my rare silver dollars completely hassle-free. Their secure mail-in service was perfect, and the entire process was transparent. I definitely recommend them to anyone in California looking for a trustworthy coin dealer."
California Numismatic Connections
California’s journey has created a rich and varied numismatic landscape, from its early Spanish colonial days to the transformative Gold Rush era and its subsequent economic development:
Early Spanish Coinage in California:
As a former Spanish territory, California saw the circulation of early Spanish coinage, including silver reales and gold doubloons. These coins, often found in archaeological sites and older collections, represent California’s early financial history. If you possess such coins, our experts can provide valuable insights for your rare coin valuation.
The California Gold Rush (1848-1855):
This iconic era left an indelible mark on American numismatics. The discovery of vast gold deposits led to the widespread use of gold dust and nuggets as currency. It also spurred the creation of private California gold coins and ingots by various assayers and companies (like Baldwin & Co., Moffat & Co., Wass, Molitor & Co.), which are highly prized collectibles today. The establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854 further solidified California’s role in gold coinage. If you have Gold Rush-era gold to sell, contact our California gold buyers for a specialized appraisal.
San Francisco Mint:
The San Francisco Mint (“S” mint mark) has been a major producer of U.S. coinage since 1854, including numerous key date coins and valuable silver dollars. Coins from this mint are highly sought after by collectors.
Shipwreck Treasures Off the California Coast:
Numerous shipwrecks along California’s coastline, some dating back to the Gold Rush era, have yielded fascinating finds of gold and silver coins and bullion, adding another layer to the state’s numismatic allure and offering opportunities for shipwreck coin appraisal.
National Bank Notes of California:
During the National Banking Era, various banks across California issued their own banknotes, now collectible pieces of the state’s financial history for paper money buyers.
Significant California Coin Finds:
Beyond the Gold Rush, California has been the site of other notable coin finds, including hoards of early U.S. silver and copper coins, and occasionally, caches of territorial gold or other valuable currency.
Major Cities Served Throughout California
Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, and all other cities and towns across California.
California Numismatic Organizations
For collectors and inheritors in California looking to delve deeper into the local numismatic community or explore the rich history of money in their state, these organizations offer valuable resources. And when you’re ready to confidently sell the unique items you’ve discovered or inherited, American Rarities is here to provide an expert appraisal and a fair offer.
California State Numismatic Association:
The primary statewide organization promoting numismatic activity and study throughout California. They host conventions, educational programs, and publish “The California Numismatist.”
Pacific Coast Numismatic Society:
Founded in San Francisco in 1915, PCNS holds regular meetings, features presentations, and publishes a monthly newsletter.
Ancient Coin Club of Los Angeles:
The Ancient Coin Club of Los Angeles (ACCLA) was established in 1966 to advance the knowledge and study of ancient numismatics, ancient coins, and their history.
Sacramento Valley Coin Club:
This active club serves the Sacramento area, promoting numismatics through meetings and events.
Santa Clara Valley Coin Club:
This club serves the San Jose and surrounding Santa Clara Valley area, offering a forum for collectors.
Long Beach Coin Club:
An active club in the Long Beach area, promoting numismatics through meetings and educational efforts.
Orange County Coin Club:
Serving Orange County, this club supports the hobby for collectors of all levels.
Numerous other local coin clubs exist throughout California. You can often find a comprehensive list via the California State Numismatic Association website or the American Numismatic Association (ANA) club directory by searching for clubs in California: https://www.money.org/club-directory/
Museums with Numismatic Interest in California
For collectors and inheritors in California looking to delve deeper into the local numismatic community or explore the rich history of money in their state, these museums offer valuable resources. And when you’re ready to confidently sell the unique items you’ve discovered or inherited, American Rarities is here to provide an expert appraisal and a fair offer.
Bowers Museum (Santa Ana):
Has hosted exhibitions on “California Gold,” featuring Gold Rush-era coins and bullion, and may have related items in its permanent collections, offering context for rare coin valuation.
Wells Fargo History Museums (San Francisco and other locations):
These museums explore early banking, the California Gold Rush, and the currency of the periods they cover, including gold and silver. (Note: The San Francisco museum is scheduled to close in early 2025, so check their website for updates).
California Historical Society (San Francisco):
Their collections document California’s history and may include items related to commerce, financial documents, and early currency.
Getty Villa (Los Angeles):
This museum houses impressive collections of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, which include significant holdings of ancient coins.
Oakland Museum of California (Oakland):
Their history exhibitions often touch upon California’s economic development, which could include displays of historical currency or related artifacts from various eras, including the Gold Rush.
Local Historical Societies & Museums:
Many towns and counties across California, particularly those with a strong Gold Rush or pioneering history, maintain their own historical societies and museums. These smaller institutions often have unique artifacts related to their local economy, which could include rare local paper money, mining tokens, or other historical currency. Researching specific local museums in your area of California is recommended.
Types of Coins, Bullion, and Paper Money Our Buyers Purchase in California
American Rarities is actively purchasing a comprehensive range of numismatic items and precious metals from residents throughout California, with a particular interest in pieces that tell the story of the state’s captivating and often dramatic history:
All U.S. Coins:
Whether you’re a seasoned California coin collector looking to sell early copper cents with intriguing designs, classic silver dollars that circulated during California’s booming growth, or modern commemorative coins and meticulously preserved proof sets celebrating national and Californian milestones, we are eager to evaluate your entire U.S. coin collection. If you want to sell old coins or get a coin appraisal, we can help.
Valuable Gold Coins:
We are active California gold coin buyers, purchasing all denominations of U.S. gold coinage, from early eagles, half eagles, and quarter eagles, prized for their historical significance and intrinsic gold content, to later, more widely collected series like the Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens designs. We hold a particularly strong interest in early California private gold issues (territorial gold) and Gold Rush-era coins struck in San Francisco and by private mints, as these represent a unique and valuable chapter in American numismatic history. We offer a competitive gold coin value.
Silver Dollars:
Looking to sell silver dollars in California? We purchase all types, including the iconic Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars, which played a vital role in the commerce of the American West and California Territory. We also value any silver dollars with significant San Francisco Mint (“S” mint mark) dates or varieties. These large silver coins hold historical significance and attract strong collector interest.
All Denominations of U.S. Coinage:
This encompasses Half Dollars, Quarters, Dimes, Nickels, and Cents. We pay special attention to coins with key dates, significant mint marks (including “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco), and any recognized varieties that can substantially increase their numismatic value.
Error Coins and Die Varieties:
Unique and often highly sought after by specialized coin collectors, error coins resulting from minting mistakes or coins with distinct die varieties can be surprisingly valuable. If you possess any unusual-looking rare coins, we encourage you to have them evaluated by our experts for a free coin appraisal.
All Forms of U.S. Paper Money:
As active paper money buyers in California, we purchase all forms of U.S. currency, from early Treasury Notes and Demand Notes to Civil War-era currency and modern Federal Reserve Notes. If you’re looking to sell old paper money, we can provide an expert currency appraisal.
National Bank Notes of California:
We have a particular interest in National Bank Notes issued by banks in California during the National Banking Era, as these are collectible pieces of California financial history for paper money buyers.
Spanish Colonial Coins
Given California’s early history as a Spanish territory, we are very interested in acquiring early Spanish coinage that circulated here, including silver cobs, reales, and the highly prized gold doubloons. These coins offer a direct connection to California’s formative years and can be quite valuable depending on their their numismatic rarity and historical significance.
Gold Bullion: Including Raw Gold Specimens and Gold Dust from California Mines:
If you’re seeking a reputable gold buyer for raw gold from California’s historic mining districts, look no further. We are expert gold buyers and offer top dollar for natural gold nuggets and gold dust, reflecting the unique value of gold sourced from the Golden State. We also buy refined gold bullion in bars, rounds, and coins. If you want to sell gold for cash, we provide a secure process.
Silver Bullion: Including Silver from California’s Mining Regions:
For those looking to sell silver in California, we purchase silver bullion in bars, rounds, and coins. We also have an interest in silver specimens and early silver coinage that originated from California’s historic silver mining areas. We are your trusted silver buyers providing a secure and straightforward way to liquidate your precious metal holdings.
Platinum and Palladium Bullion:
We purchase platinum and palladium in various forms, including bars, rounds, and government-issued coins, reflecting the increasing value and industrial importance of these precious metals.
Explore Our Expertise & Resources
Learn more about the value in your collection and our unique process with these helpful guides:
- Have an Inherited Collection? Not sure whether to sell or hold onto an inherited collection? Our guide for inheritors provides the honest advice you need to make the best decision for your family.
- Are Your Coins Colorful? Vibrant, rainbow-colored coins can be extremely valuable. Learn more about what gives toned coins their value and why they are so sought after by collectors.
Why Do Our Buyers Pay More? Discover the three key reasons—expertise, a large network, and a low-overhead model—that allow us to make stronger offers. Read our guide on why savvy collectors choose American Rarities.
Ready to connect with experienced California coin buyers and gold buyers?
Email, text, or fill out the form below with details and/or images of your collection for a coin collection evaluation.
Free Appraisal for Your California Coins, Bullion, Currency, and Collections
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Phone: 800-622-5680 | Text: 720-600-4740
Professional Associations
