Sell U.S. Gold Coins — Gold Coin Buyer

We Buy U.S. Gold Coins of Every Type

Free Appraisal, Collector Premiums and Immediate Payment

Selling U.S. gold coins? American Rarities buys every type of U.S. gold coin, raw or certified, from a single inherited gold piece to a complete collection: gold dollars, quarter eagles, three-dollar gold, half eagles, eagles, Liberty double eagles, Saint-Gaudens double eagles, Indian Head gold and early gold. U.S. gold coins carry two kinds of value: the gold they contain and the premium collectors pay for date, mint mark and condition. Many gold buyers pay only for the first. We have bought coins since 1990, more than $400 million in all, and we appraise every gold piece as a collectible coin first, so scarce dates and high grades are not sold for melt.

Send photos or a list for a free appraisal and written offer with no obligation. If you accept, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire. Prefer to start online? Try our free online coin appraisal. No one pays you more for your U.S. gold coins.

4.7-star Google rating•A+ BBB rating•ANA Life Members•Authorized PCGS, NGC & ANACS dealer•Buying since 1990•Over $400 million purchased

U.S. Gold Coins We Buy, by Type

Every U.S. gold coin falls into one of the series below. Jump to yours for what we look for and what makes it valuable. We also buy classic gold commemoratives (see commemorative coins value), certified gold in PCGS, NGC and ANACS holders, and modern American Gold Eagles and Buffalos in bullion, proof and burnished finishes. For bars, rounds and other bullion, see sell gold and silver bullion.

Sell Gold Dollars ($1 Gold)

The United States struck gold dollars from 1849 to 1889 in three types: the Liberty Head (1849–1854), the small Indian Princess Head (1854–1856) and the large Indian Princess Head (1856–1889). These are the smallest U.S. coins ever made, and many were lost or worn in circulation. The short-lived Type 2 is the scarcest of the three, and branch-mint coins from Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans and San Francisco carry strong premiums. Dahlonega gold dollars such as the 1861-D, struck after Confederate forces took over the mint, are prized rarities. We buy single gold dollars, small groups and full type sets. See how they are valued in our U.S. gold coins value guide.

Sell Quarter Eagles ($2.50 Gold)

Quarter eagles were struck from 1796 to 1929. After the early Capped Bust issues came the Classic Head (1834–1839), the Liberty Head (1840–1907) and the Indian Head (1908–1929). Liberty Head quarter eagles were made at five mints, and Charlotte, Dahlonega and New Orleans dates are much scarcer than Philadelphia coins. Famous rarities include the 1848 “CAL.” quarter eagle, struck from some of the first California gold sent to the Mint, the 1854-S, and the 1911-D Indian, the key to that series. Common dates in nice condition still sell well above their gold content. Learn the history of each design on our U.S. gold coin information page.

Sell Three-Dollar Gold Pieces ($3 Gold)

The three-dollar gold piece was struck from 1854 to 1889 with James B. Longacre’s Indian Princess Head design. It never caught on with the public, so mintages were low for most of its life, and every date is collectible. The 1854-D is the only three-dollar piece struck at Dahlonega, and the 1875 and 1876 were made only as proofs. Because so few exist, even worn or once-mounted three-dollar coins are worth far more than melt. We buy single coins and date sets, raw or certified. Check what drives prices in our gold coin values guide.

Sell Half Eagles ($5 Gold)

Half eagles were the first gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint, beginning in 1795. We buy every type: Capped Bust and Capped Head issues, the Classic Head (1834–1838), the Liberty Head (1839–1908) and the Indian Head (1908–1916 and 1929). Liberty Head half eagles were struck at seven mints, including Carson City, Charlotte and Dahlonega, and those branch-mint coins carry big premiums. Among Indian Head half eagles, the 1909-O, the only New Orleans issue, and the 1929, most of which were melted, are the keys. Read more on our U.S. gold coin information page.

Sell Eagles ($10 Gold)

Ten-dollar eagles were struck from 1795 to 1933. We buy early Capped Bust eagles, the Liberty Head eagle (1838–1907) and the Indian Head eagle (1907–1933), designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Liberty Head eagles from Carson City, New Orleans and San Francisco are often scarce in higher grades, and many survivors are worn or cleaned, so problem-free coins bring more. In the Indian Head series, the 1907 and early 1908 coins without the motto IN GOD WE TRUST form a separate type, and the 1920-S, 1930-S and 1933 are the great rarities. We buy single eagles, rolls and complete sets. Compare values in our U.S. gold coins value guide.

Sell Liberty Head Double Eagles ($20 Gold)

The Liberty Head double eagle (1850–1907) was created after the California Gold Rush and became the coin of large transactions and international trade. It comes in three types: no motto (1850–1866), motto with “TWENTY D.” (1866–1876) and motto with “TWENTY DOLLARS” (1877–1907). Carson City issues such as the 1870-CC, New Orleans dates like the 1854-O and 1856-O, and coins recovered from shipwrecks such as the SS Central America are highly sought after. Common-date Liberty twenties hold close to one troy ounce of gold, so even everyday dates are valuable, and better dates and grades sell for much more. We buy single coins, rolls and bank-hoard groups.

Sell Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles ($20 Gold)

The Saint-Gaudens double eagle (1907–1933) is widely considered the most beautiful American coin. We buy the 1907 High Relief with its Roman numeral date, the 1907–1908 no motto coins, and the motto issues from 1908 on, including key dates such as the 1920-S, 1921, 1927-D and the late dates of 1929 to 1932, most of which were melted after the 1933 gold recall. Common dates are among the most popular gold coins in the world, and high-grade, lustrous examples bring premiums over melt. The famous 1933 double eagle is the subject of our article on the most expensive coin ever sold. Before buying or selling a raw Saint-Gaudens, read our fake $20 gold coin case study.

Sell Indian Head Gold ($2.50, $5 and $10)

Indian Head gold covers two designs from the early 1900s. Bela Lyon Pratt’s quarter eagle and half eagle (1908–1929) are among the few U.S. coins with sunken (incuse) relief, where the design is pressed into the surface, so wear and cleaning show quickly and nice examples are in demand. The Saint-Gaudens Indian Head eagle (1907–1933) is the $10 version. The $20 coin of the same era is the Saint-Gaudens double eagle above, not an Indian design. We buy Indian Head gold one coin at a time or as full date sets, and we pay extra for key dates such as the 1911-D quarter eagle, the 1909-O half eagle and the 1920-S, 1930-S and 1933 eagles.

Sell Early U.S. Gold (Before 1834)

U.S. gold coins struck before 1834 are some of the rarest American coins. For decades these coins held more gold than their face value, so most were exported or melted, and the Coinage Act of 1834 then lowered the gold content of new coins. We buy Capped Bust and Capped Head quarter eagles, half eagles and eagles from 1795 to 1834 in every grade, including worn, cleaned, holed or repaired coins, which still have real collector value. We also buy territorial and private gold, such as California, Georgia and North Carolina issues. Many early gold coins are best sold certified, and as an authorized dealer we can submit them to PCGS, NGC or ANACS for you. Read about the 1795 to 1933 history on our U.S. gold coin information page.

Why Sell Your Gold Coins to American Rarities

Numismatic value, not just melt: we pay collector premiums for key dates, scarce mint marks and high grades.
Raw or certified: we buy coins straight from an old album or envelope as well as PCGS, NGC and ANACS graded gold.
Whole collections: we make an offer on every coin you show us, so you are never left with the pieces another buyer did not want.
No fees and no obligation: the appraisal is free, and you decide whether to accept our offer. Our appraisals are IRS-approved, so they also work for estates and insurance.
Ship fully insured at our expense, or for larger collections we can meet you at your bank. If you decline our offer, we return your items fully insured.
We pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.
Trusted since 1990: a 4.7-star Google rating, an A+ rating from the BBB, Life Members of the ANA, and an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer.

How to Sell U.S. Gold Coins in 4 Steps

1Send Photos or a List
Use the form on this page, text clear photos of both sides of your gold coins to 720-600-4740 or email them to staff@americanrarities.com. For a larger collection, a simple list of denominations, dates, mint marks and any PCGS or NGC holders is enough to start. Tell us about original rolls, proof coins or family and estate pieces. Please don't clean or polish your coins. Cleaning can sharply lower their value.
2Free Written Offer
A specialist checks each coin for date, mint mark, variety, grade, eye appeal and any signs of cleaning or damage. Key dates, branch-mint coins and high grades are valued as collector coins, not just for their gold. You get a free, no-obligation written offer: most offers within 24 hours, though some can take upwards of a week or more depending on the collection.
3Ship or Meet
Ship fully insured at our expense: pack your coins snugly in a sturdy, taped box so nothing moves, and we cover the postage and insurance. Or meet in person or at your home with one of our buyers, who reviews every coin with you. If you decline our offer, we return your items fully insured.
4Get Paid Immediately
Accept the offer and you are paid immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, whichever you prefer. We pay more because we value your gold coins as collectibles first, not just for melt, so you get top dollar for every coin.

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U.S. Gold Coin Values: Numismatic Value vs. Melt Value

Every U.S. gold coin has a melt value set by its gold content and the spot price. Common-date double eagles, eagles and modern bullion coins in circulated grades usually sell close to that figure plus a modest premium. Rare dates, branch-mint issues such as Carson City, Dahlonega and Charlotte, and coins in high mint-state grades can be worth many times their gold value, which is why an appraisal by a numismatist matters before you sell. To see how gold content, rarity and grade set what your coins are worth, read our US gold coins value guide.

Most U.S. gold coins were struck in .900 fine gold, and the 1933 gold recall sent millions of them to the melting pot, which is part of why some dates are scarce today. To learn more, see the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection and the American Numismatic Association. Collectors also use reference sites such as PCGS CoinFacts and NGC Coin Explorer for mintages and population data. The IRS guide to capital gains (Topic 409) explains how gains on collectibles such as gold coins are treated.

Have more than gold? See our guides to selling rare U.S. coins, selling your rare coins safely, selling a single rare coin and selling collector coins and sets. We also buy foreign coins, including Mexican gold escudos. For background on each series, read our U.S. gold coin information page or try the coin value finder.

Gold content of classic U.S. gold coins (.900 fine, 1837–1933)
Coin	Total weight	Pure gold
Gold dollar ($1)	1.672 g	0.0484 troy oz
Quarter eagle ($2.50)	4.180 g	0.1209 troy oz
Three-dollar gold ($3)	5.015 g	0.1451 troy oz
Half eagle ($5)	8.359 g	0.2419 troy oz
Eagle ($10)	16.718 g	0.4838 troy oz
Double eagle ($20)	33.436 g	0.9675 troy oz

Melt value is the pure gold content times the spot price. A coin’s collector value can be far higher, which is why we grade every coin before we make an offer. Coins struck before 1834 contain more gold than these later standards.

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Selling U.S. Gold Coins: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you value U.S. gold coins?

We start with gold content and the current spot price, then add any collector premium for the date, mint mark, rarity and grade. Key dates and high-grade coins often sell far above melt.

Do you buy gold coins that are not graded?

Yes. We buy raw gold coins as well as PCGS, NGC and ANACS certified coins, and you do not need to have them graded before you sell.

Do you buy a single gold coin or only collections?

Both. We buy single gold coins, rolls of bullion Eagles and complete collections, and the appraisal is always free.

Are my gold coins worth more than melt value?

Often, yes. Common-date double eagles and eagles usually sell for a modest premium over their gold content, while scarce dates, branch-mint coins, early gold before 1834 and coins in high grades can be worth many times melt. We grade every coin before we make an offer.

How much gold is in a U.S. gold coin?

Classic U.S. gold coins struck from 1837 to 1933 are 90% gold. A $20 double eagle holds 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold, a $10 eagle 0.4838, a $5 half eagle 0.2419, a $3 piece 0.1451, a $2.50 quarter eagle 0.1209 and a $1 gold dollar 0.0484.

Is it legal to own and sell old U.S. gold coins?

Yes. The 1933 gold recall ended on December 31, 1974, when Americans could again own gold freely, and pre-1933 U.S. gold coins can be bought and sold legally. The 1933 double eagle is the exception: nearly all were melted, and only one example is legal for private ownership.

Should I clean my gold coins before selling them?

No. Cleaning, polishing or dipping can leave hairlines and remove original luster, which can sharply lower a gold coin’s collector value. Send them to us as they are.

How do I send my gold coins and get paid?

Send photos or a list through the form on this page, by text to 720-600-4740 or by email to staff@americanrarities.com. If you accept our written offer, ship fully insured at our expense or, for larger collections, meet us at your bank. We pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, and if you decline, we return your coins fully insured.

Do you buy American Gold Eagles and other modern gold?

Yes. We buy American Gold Eagles and Buffalos in every size and finish, along with gold commemoratives and certified modern gold. For gold bars and rounds, see our gold and silver bullion page.