Estate Appraisals and Liquidation for Rare Coins and Paper Money
Settling an estate that includes rare coins or U.S. paper currency raises two questions: what is the collection worth, and what is the best way to turn it into cash? American Rarities Rare Coin Company answers both. We provide IRS-compliant estate appraisals, usually within 24 hours, and when the estate is ready, we can buy the collection outright with immediate payment by check, wire or ACH.
We work with executors, heirs, attorneys, trustees and financial advisors, and with the professional organizers and downsizing specialists who often find the coins first. Our what to do first guide for organizers and downsizing experts is written for them. Founded in 1990, we have more than 30 years in business and have purchased over $400 million in rare coins, paper money and precious metals. The appraisal is free on collections we appraise for potential purchase, and there is never an obligation to sell.
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Why Estates Choose American Rarities
An estate deserves an appraiser who knows coins and currency, and a buyer who pays promptly. American Rarities offers both:
- Credentials. We are a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center, and our team members are Life Members of the American Numismatic Association.
- Experience. Between all the buyers at and associated with American Rarities, we have hundreds of years of combined experience with U.S. coins, gold, silver and paper money.
- Reputation. We hold a BBB A+ rating and a 4.7-star Google rating.
- Reach. Our nationwide buying network has a presence in California, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and New Jersey, so we can visit an estate in person or receive coins by insured mail-in with no deductible.
Meet our rare coin experts, or see the full list of our numismatic services.
IRS-Compliant Estate Appraisals, Usually Within 24 Hours
Our IRS-compliant appraisals can be tailored to the needs of the estate, and we usually deliver them within 24 hours. Tax preparers, please note that we can provide an appraisal based on any historical date. We offer these types of appraisal:
- Date-of-death appraisals value the collection as of the day the owner passed away, for estate tax returns and settling the estate.
- Fair market value and liquidation appraisals show what the collection is worth in today’s market, which helps with sales, transfers and dividing assets among heirs. See fair market value.
- Appreciation appraisals show how much a collection has grown in value since it was bought or last appraised, which helps heirs decide what to keep and what to sell.
- Insurance and replacement value appraisals help make sure a collection that stays in the family is properly insured.
An appraisal is generally good for a reasonable period of time, depending on the types of items in the collection. And whenever you’d like a fresh look, we’re always happy to give you a free overall evaluation.
From high-value certified collections to simple accumulations of common coins built up over a lifetime, our numismatic staff appraises everything: U.S. coins, gold, silver dollars, bullion and both certified and raw paper money. We examine coins with XRF analysis and digital microscopy so that counterfeit or altered pieces do not inflate the value.
Not sure the estate needs a formal report? Start with a free coin collection appraisal. CPAs and tax preparers can read about our IRS-compliant numismatic appraisals for CPAs. For general reference values, see our coin collector’s price guide, and for help choosing a trustworthy buyer in your area, see our coin dealer near me guide.
How the Estate Appraisal and Liquidation Process Works
1. Tell us about the estate. Email photos or an inventory list to staff@americanrarities.com, text them to 720-600-4740, or use the form below. A rough list is fine.
2. We review the collection. For larger estates we can arrange a home visit through our nationwide buying network. You can also ship the coins to us by insured mail-in with no deductible.
3. You receive the appraisal. We provide an IRS-compliant appraisal, usually within 24 hours, or a free appraisal if the estate is considering a sale.
4. You decide. There is no pressure, and the decision is yours whenever you’re ready. If the estate chooses to sell, we make an offer on the collection. Accept it and we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire. If not, there is no obligation.
We also offer free in-house grading without slabbing, so the estate knows which coins, if any, are worth sending to PCGS or NGC for certification before a sale.
Liquidating an Estate Coin Collection: Private Sale Versus Auction
Once the estate is ready to sell, there are two main routes:
- Private sale to a dealer. The estate receives an offer on the whole collection and, once it is accepted, immediate payment by check, wire or ACH. There are no consignment fees to wait on and no risk that lots go unsold. That speed and certainty matter when an estate needs to close.
- Auction. Auctions can suit a few exceptional coins, but results depend on who is bidding that day, buyer’s and seller’s fees reduce what the estate takes home, and payment can take months after the coins are consigned.
American Rarities has a long-term outlook on the rare coin market, with more than 30 years in business, and we are confident we can offer a strong price with immediate payment. Our coin shop vs. coin auction page compares the options in more detail.
If the estate includes an extensive holding, our guide to selling a large coin collection explains how we appraise and purchase entire collections, and our page for coin collection buyers covers what to look for when selling one outright. If the estate needs liquidity before coins are sold, a collateral loan on rare coins and bullion can provide short-term funds while keeping the collection intact.
Estate Services for Attorneys, Executors and Advisors
Save your clients money, and save yourself time: have one of American Rarities’ professional coin buyers evaluate and appraise your client’s rare coin or paper currency collection. We provide written IRS-compliant appraisals, coordinate home visits or insured shipping, and can buy the collection so the estate can close.
Estate planners can read about partnering with us on estate planning, and wealth advisors can see how we help advisors with tangible assets. Please contact us, email staff@americanrarities.com or text 720-600-4740 to discuss your needs with a member of our numismatic staff.
List of Professionals that use our service:
- Attorneys
- Bankers
- Equities Brokers
- Estate Executors
- Estate Planners
- Fiduciary
- Financial Advisor
- Financial Planner
- Retirement Planner
Tips for Executors and Heirs of a Coin Collection
If you have inherited a coin collection or are handling one as an executor, a few simple steps protect its value:
- Do not clean the coins. Cleaning can permanently lower a coin’s value, even when it looks like an improvement.
- Keep coins in their original holders. Leave certified slabs, mint and proof sets, and old albums or flips as they are.
- Do not break up sets. A complete set can be worth more together than as separate coins.
- Keep the paperwork. Receipts, certificates of authenticity and old inventory lists help with the appraisal.
- Secure the collection. Store it safely and limit who handles it until it has been appraised.
- Remember the paper money. Old notes are often tucked into books, safes or envelopes. Handle them flat and do not fold, tape or repair them.
Learn more about old notes on our U.S. paper currency information page, or read about coin cleaning and why collectors avoid it.
Estate Appraisals: Quick Answers
What types of estate appraisals do you offer?
Date-of-death, fair market value and liquidation, and insurance replacement appraisals. We can also value a collection as of any historical date.
Is an estate coin appraisal free?
Appraisals are free on collections we appraise for possible purchase, with no obligation. Formal IRS-compliant appraisal reports are available on request.
Do you come to the estate?
For larger estates we can arrange an on-site visit through our nationwide buying network, or the coins can be shipped to us by insured mail with no deductible.
Contact a Paper Money and Rare Coin Appraiser
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
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