Numismatic Services: Coin and Paper Money Appraisals, Grading, Authentication and Buying
Numismatic services are the professional services that help people value, verify, protect and sell coins, paper money and bullion. They include appraisals, coin grading, authentication and counterfeit detection, conservation and storage advice, and buying or brokering collections. Whether you are a lifelong collector, have inherited a collection, or advise clients as a CPA, attorney, trust officer or wealth advisor, the right numismatic expert helps you understand what you have and what it is worth.
American Rarities has provided numismatic services since 1990. In more than 30 years we have purchased over $400 million in coins and collectibles, and our team brings hundreds of years of combined experience. We are ANA Life Members, hold an A+ rating with the BBB, are a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center, and are rated 4.7 stars from 86 Google reviews. Use the directory below to jump to the service you need, or get a free, no-obligation appraisal with the form on this page.
Every service is handled by our rare coin experts, who have hundreds of years of combined experience.
Our Numismatic Services Directory
Appraisals
Free Online Coin Appraisal
Send photos or a list and get a free, no-obligation value and offer, usually within 24 hours.
Coin Collection Appraisal
A written evaluation of your whole collection, grouped and valued item by item.
Estate Appraisals and Liquidation
IRS-compliant appraisals for estates and inheritances, plus a simple way to sell if heirs choose to.
IRS-Compliant Appraisals for CPAs
Documented valuations of coins and currency for estate, gift and tax reporting.
Bank Trust and Estate Departments
Appraisal and liquidation support for trust officers and fiduciaries.
Services for Wealth Advisors
Help valuing and planning for clients’ coins, currency and precious metals. Estate planners, see our estate planner services.
Grading and Authentication
Coin and Currency Grading
Free in-house grading without slabbing, and submission to PCGS, NGC or ANACS when certification adds value.
Coin Authentication
XRF metal testing and digital microscopy to confirm a coin is genuine.
Counterfeit and Altered Coins Guide
How to spot fake, altered and doctored coins before you buy or sell.
Selling Your Coins and Currency
Coin Collection Buyers
We buy entire collections, from a few coins to complete sets, with immediate payment by check, wire or ACH.
Sell a Large Coin Collection
Private, organized buying for large and high-value collections, including home visits.
Sell PCGS, NGC and ANACS Coins
Offers on certified coins in every grade.
Sell Coins Online by Mail
Fully insured mail-in with no deductible, and free or discounted shipping on selected collections.
Rare Coin Buyer Near You
Find help in your state, with a strong presence in California, Colorado and Arizona.
Sell Paper Money
Large-size and small-size U.S. notes, silver certificates and more. See also our paper money collector page.
Sell Gold and Silver Bullion
All bullion, including coins, rounds and bars.
Sell World Coins
Foreign and world coins in gold, silver and base metals.
Other Numismatic Services
Coin and Bullion Loans
Borrow against rare coins, bullion or paper money instead of selling.
Rare Coin Want List
Tell us what you are looking for and we will help you find quality coins for your collection.
Services for Coin Dealers
Wholesale buying and expert support for other dealers.
How Our Numismatic Services Work
- Tell us what you have. Email staff@americanrarities.com, text photos to 720-600-4740, or use the free appraisal form on this page.
- Get a free, written evaluation. One of our numismatists reviews your items and replies, usually within 24 hours. In most cases our appraisal value is the same as our purchase offer, and there is never an obligation to sell. For larger collections we offer home visits.
- Ship safely if you decide to sell. We provide fully insured mail-in instructions with no deductible, and free or discounted shipping on selected collections.
- Get paid immediately. Once your items arrive and are verified, we pay right away by check, wire or ACH.
A Reputation You Can Trust
For over 30 years, we have built a reputation for fair offers and expert service. To see what separates reputable coin dealers from the rest, read our checklist. Verify our credentials:
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Life Members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA)
- 4.7-star rating from 86 Google reviews
- PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and ANACS submission center
A Service for Every Seller. Every seller has a different level of experience, so our process is designed to be clear and comfortable for everyone.
- For inheritors and new sellers: we walk you through each step and explain the value of your items in plain language.
- For experienced collectors: our buyers follow the market closely, even for scarce and esoteric material, and will show you how we arrived at our valuation.
- For attorneys, CPAs and fiduciaries: we provide IRS-compliant written appraisals and can handle liquidation from start to finish.
Get a Free Appraisal for Your Collection. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, the first step is a free, no-obligation appraisal. Send your list or photos with the form below.
Free Appraisal for Your Coins, Currency, and Collections
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
Coin and Paper Money Grading
A coin’s grade can change its value more than almost anything else. Grades use the 1 to 70 Sheldon grading scale, and a single grade point on a rare coin can mean a large difference in price. Wikipedia’s coin grading article explains the basics.
Our numismatists handle rare coins and currency every day and offer free in-house grading without slabbing, so you know what you have before you pay for certification. When third-party grading will add value, we can submit your coins as a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center. Learn more about our rare coin and paper currency grading services.
Third-Party Certification: PCGS, NGC and ANACS
Certified coins are authenticated, graded and sealed in a tamper-evident holder by an independent service such as PCGS or NGC. Certification makes a coin easier to sell because buyers can trust its authenticity and grade. We buy certified coins in every grade; see how to sell PCGS, NGC and ANACS coins.
Coin and Currency Authentication
Counterfeit and altered coins are common, and sending every questionable piece to a grading service is slow and costly. We authenticate coins in-house with XRF metal testing, which confirms a coin’s metal content without harming it, and digital microscopy, which reveals casting marks, tooling and added or removed mint marks. If a piece needs a second opinion, we can submit it for third-party certification.
See our coin authentication service and our guide to counterfeit and altered coins.
Coin and Paper Money Appraisals
An appraisal is a detailed, written evaluation of your coins, currency or bullion, with items grouped and valued based on what they would sell for today. Our appraisals are free, IRS-compliant and suitable for estate, insurance and tax purposes, and in most cases our appraisal value is the same as our purchase offer. We appraise U.S. and world coins, paper money, medals and gold, silver and platinum bullion, by mail or in person with home visits for larger collections.
We also work with banks, attorneys, CPAs, insurance companies, fiduciaries and estate planners. Start with a coin collection appraisal, or learn about our estate appraisals and liquidation and IRS-compliant appraisals for CPAs.
Paper money appraisals. We appraise and buy U.S. paper money, from large-size notes such as the 1896 Educational series and 1878 silver certificates to small-size notes like the 1928 “Funnyback” $1. Learn how to sell paper currency.
Numismatic Conservation and Storage Advice
Poor storage quietly destroys value. Many older plastic flips and holders contain PVC, which can leave a green, sticky residue on coins and damage paper money over time. As part of our appraisal services, we can advise you on how to re-house and organize a collection in safe, archival holders so it keeps its condition and value.
Please do not clean your coins. Cleaning leaves hairline scratches and removes original surfaces, and collectors pay much less for cleaned coins. Read why cleaning your coins is not recommended, and see the American Numismatic Association for more collector education.
Numismatic Services: Quick Answers
What are numismatic services?
Professional services for coins, paper money and bullion: appraisals, grading, authentication, conservation and storage advice, and buying or selling collections.
Are your appraisals accepted for estates and taxes?
Yes. We prepare IRS-compliant written appraisals for estates, insurance and tax reporting, and we work with CPAs, attorneys and trust departments.
Do I need to send my coins to PCGS or NGC to have them graded?
Not always. Our free in-house grading tells you the likely grade first, and we can submit coins when certification adds value.
Professional Associations
