What fees do coin dealers charge?
Common Fee Structures
Most coin dealers make money by buying coins at a discount and reselling them at a higher price, so the fee is built into the buy price. If you're selling, the dealer might offer you 50–80% of the coin's retail value, which effectively acts as their fee. For consignment sales, dealers often charge a commission of 10–30% of the final sale price.
Some dealers charge a flat fee per coin or per lot, especially for bulk sales. For example, a dealer might pay you a set amount per silver dollar regardless of date. Always ask whether the fee is a percentage or a flat rate before agreeing.
- Percentage of sale price: 10–30% for consignment
- Flat fee per coin: $1–$10 depending on value
- Buy price discount: dealer pays 50–80% of retail
- Shipping and insurance: usually passed to seller
- Appraisal fees: $25–$100 per hour or flat rate
Additional Costs to Watch For
If you ask a dealer to submit coins for professional grading, they may charge a handling fee on top of the grading company's fees. Grading can cost $20–$50 per coin, plus shipping and insurance. Some dealers waive this if you're selling to them.
For online sales, auction sites and marketplaces charge final value fees (often 6–12%) plus payment processing fees. These are separate from dealer fees but affect your net proceeds. Always clarify who pays for shipping and insurance.
- Grading submission fees: $20–$50 per coin
- Handling fees: $5–$20 per submission
- Auction site fees: 6–12% of sale price
- Payment processing: 2–4%
- Return shipping: $5–$20
Common mistakes
- Assuming the dealer's buy price is the coin's full value; it's usually a wholesale price.
- Forgetting to ask about hidden fees like shipping, insurance, or grading markups.
- Not comparing offers from multiple dealers before selling.
