Get a Free Online Coin Appraisal from a Trusted Expert

1. Take clear photos. Photograph the front and back of each coin. The photo tips below show you how. For a large collection, a few group photos plus an inventory list is a fine place to start.
2. Send them to us. Use the form on this page, text your photos to 720-600-4740, or email them to staff@americanrarities.com. Tell us what you know: where the coins came from, any certification numbers, and whether you want to sell or just want to know what they are worth.
3. Hear back within 24-48 hours. A numismatist reviews your photos and tells you what you have and what it is worth. If photos are not enough to judge grade or authenticity, we explain why and suggest the next step.
4. Get an offer if you want one. If you are interested in selling, we make a competitive offer. You are never obligated to accept it.
5. Get paid immediately. If you accept, send your coins with our mail-in service, fully covered with no deductible, or have one of our buyers visit you at home anywhere in the country. We pay immediately by company check, wire or ACH.

Coins we see in hand can also receive free in-house grading without encapsulation, plus XRF testing and digital microscopy when authenticity is in question. Learn more about our coin authentication process. Free or discounted shipping is available on selected collections. If you need a formal valuation for an estate, insurance or a charitable donation, we also prepare IRS-compliant appraisals.

What Photos Should You Take?

• Photograph both sides of every coin, straight on, so the coin fills most of the frame.
• Use soft daylight from a window, or two lamps from the sides. Turn off the flash to avoid glare.
• Place coins on a plain, dark, non-reflective background such as a dark cloth.
• Hold the camera steady and tap the screen to focus so the date and mint mark are sharp.
• For certified coins, include the whole holder label and certification number.
• For rolls, sets or large groups, send a few overview photos plus close-ups of the best coins.
• Never clean coins before photographing them. Cleaning can permanently reduce their value.

Want to learn the terms we use? These neutral references explain the Sheldon 1-70 grading scale, how grading services describe each grade, where to find mint marks and common counterfeit warning signs. The American Numismatic Association is a good place to start learning about collecting.