: For silver and gold coins, calculate the baseline metal value (melt value) using current market prices. This is the absolute minimum you should accept.
: Offers can vary significantly between shops based on their current inventory needs. It is often worth visiting at least two or three highly-rated dealers. Top-Rated Coin Dealers (Examples)
: Bringing an organized list of what you have signals to the dealer that you are an informed seller, which can help prevent "lowball" offers.
: For high-value gold or silver items, some shops use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers for non-destructive testing to verify metal purity instantly.
: Reputable dealers should offer free initial evaluations and be willing to explain how they determined your coin's value based on date, mintmark, and condition.
: Look for members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) or the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). These organizations require members to follow a strict code of ethics.
: A fair dealer typically offers between 70% to 85% of retail value for common collectable coins, though prices for bullion track closer to current "spot" market prices. How to Prepare Your Coins for Sale