Sell Rare U.S. Coins: Early American, Key Dates, Silver Dollars and Gold
Get a Free Appraisal and Offer on Your Rare U.S. Coins
From a worn 1793 large cent to a gleaming Morgan silver dollar or a pre-1933 $20 gold piece, United States coins are some of the most widely collected coins in the world. That demand is what makes rare U.S. coins valuable, and it is why the right buyer matters. A shop that prices by metal weight can miss a key date, a scarce mint mark or a premium grade.
American Rarities specializes in rare U.S. coins and has bought coins since 1990, with more than $350 million in purchases, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.7-star average from 86 Google reviews. Every free appraisal comes with a no-obligation offer, and there is never any pressure to sell.
Looking for something else? To sell just one special coin, see Sell a Rare Coin. For a whole or inherited collection, see Sell My Rare Coins. For type sets, albums and commemoratives, see Sell Collector Coins. Selling a very large collection? See Sell a Large Coin Collection. We also buy gold and silver bullion and U.S. paper money (see our U.S. paper currency information). Wondering where to sell locally? See Where to Sell Coins Near Me.
Rare U.S. Coins We Buy
We buy every series struck by the United States Mint, from the first coins authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 to modern rarities. These are the U.S. coins we see most often and pay strong premiums for:
- Early American coins (1793 to 1838): half cents and large cents, Flowing Hair and Draped Bust dollars, Capped Bust half dollars, and early quarters, dimes and half dimes. Even worn examples can be worth far more than their metal.
- Key-date Lincoln and Indian Head cents: the 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 No D, 1931-S and 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cents, and the 1877 and 1909-S Indian Head cents.
- Morgan and Peace silver dollars: Carson City dates, the 1893-S, 1889-CC and 1895, high-grade Morgan dollars, and Peace dollars such as the 1921 high relief and 1928. See our rare Morgan silver dollar guide, U.S. silver dollar values and U.S. silver dollar information.
- U.S. gold coins: $1, $2.50, $3, $5, $10 and $20 Liberty Head, Indian Head and Saint-Gaudens gold, struck until U.S. gold coinage stopped in 1933 (see the Gold Reserve Act). Learn more about how to sell U.S. gold coins, read our U.S. gold coin information and check U.S. gold coin values.
- Classic silver type coins: Seated Liberty, Barber, Standing Liberty and Walking Liberty coins, Mercury dimes and Trade dollars, especially in high grade or with a scarce mint mark. Common-date silver is welcome too: see sell 90% silver coins.
- Commemoratives, proofs, patterns and errors: classic commemoratives, early proof coins, U.S. pattern coins and proof and mint sets, plus error and variety coins.
- Certified U.S. coins: coins graded by PCGS, NGC and ANACS, as well as raw coins that have never been graded.
Want a rough idea first? Compare your coins with the NGC U.S. coin price guide, PCGS CoinFacts or the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection, or browse our rare coins value list. Prices for rare dates change with grade, so a free expert appraisal is the surest way to know.
Sell PCGS, NGC, ANACS and CAC Certified Coins
American Rarities is an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer, so we know certified coins inside and out. We buy U.S. coins in every major holder, and we pay strong premiums for coins with a green CAC sticker, which shows the Certified Acceptance Corporation agrees the coin is solid for its grade.
- Slabbed coins: send the certification number and a clear photo of the holder and we can price most coins quickly.
- Raw coins: we grade them free in-house and tell you if submitting to PCGS or NGC would add enough value to be worth it. We can submit for you.
- Older holders: early PCGS “rattler” and NGC “fatty” holders can bring extra premiums from collectors.
See more on how to sell PCGS, NGC and ANACS coins.
PCGS, NGC and ANACS holders
Green CAC stickers on PCGS Morgan dollars
Key Dates and Error Coins to Look For
A single key date or mint error can be worth more than the rest of a collection. Check your coins for these before you sell, then send photos for a free appraisal.
| Coin | What to look for | Why it is valuable |
|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent | S mint mark under the date, VDB initials at the bottom of the reverse | Only 484,000 struck |
| 1914-D Lincoln cent | D mint mark under the date | About 1.2 million struck, few in high grade |
| 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent | Clear doubling in the date and LIBERTY | Famous mint error variety |
| 1916-D Mercury dime | D mint mark on the reverse, left of the fasces | Only 264,000 struck |
| 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters | D or S mint mark on the reverse below the eagle | The two lowest-mintage regular Washington quarters |
| 1937-D “3-Legged” Buffalo nickel | The buffalo has only three legs | Die polishing error |
| 1889-CC and 1893-S Morgan dollars | CC or S mint mark below the wreath on the reverse | Low mintages: 350,000 and 100,000 |
| Mint errors | Off-center strikes, double strikes, wrong planchets, broadstrikes | Dramatic errors are scarce and collected |
See our guides to error and variety coins and the rare coins value list.
Why Sell Rare U.S. Coins to American Rarities
- No one pays you more: we have bought coins since 1990, more than $350 million in purchases, and we pay for the collector value, not just the metal.
- U.S. coin specialists: our buyers study American series every day and know the dates, mint marks, die varieties and grades that move a coin from common to rare. We use XRF metal testing and digital microscopy when needed.
- Every coin gets an offer: large collection or small, we make an offer on every coin you show us, not just the few best pieces.
- Graded or raw: an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer, and we give raw coins a free in-house grade.
- No fees, no obligation: no appraisal, listing or auction fees, and no obligation to accept our offer. We reply quickly. Timing depends on the size of your list, and we review submissions in the order we receive them.
- Paid right away: once you accept, we pay immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.
- Trusted: A+ BBB rating, a 4.7-star Google rating, and Life Members of the American Numismatic Association.
How to Sell Rare U.S. Coins in 4 Steps
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1Send Photos or a List
Use the form on this page, text 720-600-4740 or email staff@americanrarities.com with photos of both sides of your coins, or a list of dates, mint marks and grades.
2Get a Free Written Offer
A U.S. coin specialist reviews your coins and sends a free appraisal and no-obligation offer. We reply quickly. Timing depends on the size of your list, and we review submissions in the order we receive them.
3Ship or Meet in Person
Ship with our fully insured mail-in service at our expense (use your own sturdy box or mailer), or meet a buyer at your home, office or bank. See if we have a rare coin buyer near you.
Cash 
Check 
ACH/Wire 4Get Paid Immediately
Accept the offer and get paid immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire. If you decide not to sell, we return your coins at our expense.
Selling an Estate or Inherited Coin Collection?
Executors, heirs, attorneys and CPAs trust American Rarities to value and buy inherited U.S. coin collections. We provide IRS-compliant estate appraisals, make one offer for the whole collection, and for large estates a buyer can meet you in person at your home, office or bank. There is never any obligation, and we can explain what each coin is worth so every heir understands the offer.
Rare U.S. Coin Questions
Which U.S. coins are the most valuable?
Early American coins, key-date Lincoln and Indian Head cents, scarce Morgan and Peace dollars, and pre-1933 U.S. gold are among the most valuable. Date, mint mark and grade matter most, so send photos for a free appraisal.
Is my old silver dollar worth more than its silver?
Often, yes. Many Morgan and Peace dollars sell for well above their silver value because of their date, mint mark or condition. We pay for the collector value, not just the metal.
Do you buy U.S. coins that are not graded?
Yes. We buy raw and certified U.S. coins. Our specialists grade raw coins for free and tell you if PCGS or NGC grading would add enough value to be worth it.
Do you pay more for CAC-stickered coins?
Yes. Coins with a green CAC sticker usually bring a premium over the same grade without one. We are an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer and buy coins in all major holders.
How and when do I get paid?
Once your coins arrive and you accept our offer, we pay immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.
How do I ship my coins to you?
Use our fully insured mail-in service at our expense. Pack your coins in your own sturdy box or padded mailer (we do not provide shipping materials). For large collections, a buyer can also meet you in person.
Should I clean my coins before I sell them?
No. Cleaning leaves fine scratches and can greatly lower a coin’s value. Send them as they are.
Do you buy inherited collections and estates?
Yes. We buy whole estates and provide IRS-compliant estate appraisals for executors and heirs, with no obligation to sell.
Free Appraisal for Your U.S. Rare Coins
Text, Email or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Use the form below, text 720-600-4740 or email staff@americanrarities.com
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