Where can I sell old coins?
Local Coin Shops and Dealers
Local coin shops are convenient and offer immediate cash, but they typically pay wholesale prices—often 50% to 70% of retail value. This is because they need to resell the coins for a profit. If you have common coins, a dealer might only pay face value or metal content. However, for rare or high-value coins, a dealer can be a good option because they have the expertise and customer base to sell them.
Some dealers will also sell on consignment, meaning they sell your coin for you and take a commission, usually 10% to 20%. This can get you a higher price than selling outright, but you wait for a buyer.
- Immediate cash, but lower prices
- Good for common coins and quick sales
- Consignment may get higher price for a fee
- No shipping or online fees
Online Marketplaces and Auctions
eBay is the largest online marketplace for coins. You can sell directly to collectors, often getting closer to retail prices. But you'll pay final value fees (around 10–13%) and shipping costs. You also need to handle packaging and customer service. For higher-value coins, eBay's authentication service may be required, which adds time.
Specialized auction sites like Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers, and GreatCollections cater to serious collectors. They charge seller's commissions (typically 10–20%) but can achieve strong prices for rare coins. These are best for coins worth several hundred dollars or more.
- eBay: large audience, fees ~10–13%, you handle shipping
- Heritage Auctions: high-end, commission ~10–20%
- GreatCollections: popular for certified coins
- Facebook groups and forums: no fees, but riskier
Common mistakes
- Selling to a pawn shop: they often pay far less than coin dealers.
- Cleaning coins before selling: cleaning can reduce value significantly.
- Not researching value first: you might accept a low offer for a rare coin.
