Do coin dealers buy coins at melt value?
How dealers price purchases
Melt value is the metal content of a coin multiplied by the current metal price. Dealers may offer close to melt value for common bullion or junk silver, but they often pay below it after covering their costs and margin. The exact offer depends on the dealer's inventory needs.
Collector coins are a different story. A dealer may pay a bid price based on the coin's grade and demand, which can be well above melt value for scarce dates or below it for common coins. Asking for a written offer helps you compare.
- Bullion often bought near a percentage of melt
- Collector coins priced by grade and demand
- Compare offers from several dealers
Getting a fair offer
Check the current metal price and common dealer buy rates before you visit. Ask whether the offer is based on melt, bid, or retail prices. A reputable dealer will explain how they priced each coin.
Consider selling online or through an auction if the coin is valuable enough to justify the extra effort and fees.
Dealers may offer more for a coin when it is complete in its holder or set, so ask whether packaging affects the offer. Compare a few offers before you accept one.
Common mistakes
- Selling a valuable collector coin at melt value without a comparison.
- Accepting an offer without knowing the current metal price.
