What to Expect When Selling Coins to an Austin Dealer

Before You Visit: What to Bring

Bring your coins in whatever state they are in: sorted or unsorted, in albums or loose, slabbed or raw. Do not attempt to sort, organize, or clean them before your visit unless you have numismatic knowledge. Well-meaning organization can separate coins from context that matters: original rolls, original album pages, original packaging.

Bring identification. Standard photo ID such as a driver's license or passport is required for all precious metal purchases above threshold amounts. This is a standard compliance requirement, not specific to any dealer.

If you have documentation including prior appraisals, original purchase receipts, insurance schedules, or PCGS or NGC certification numbers, bring those too. They help establish the collection's history and support attribution of unusual pieces. They are not required, but they help.

Arriving for Your Appointment

At Austin Coin Buyers, all visits are by appointment. Call (737) 200-7042 to schedule Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. We are located on Smith Road in Austin. Scheduling in advance ensures we have adequate time allocated for your collection and that you receive our full, uninterrupted attention.

When you arrive, tell the buyer what you have and roughly why you are selling. This context helps us understand your priorities. Some sellers want maximum price and are willing to wait for the right buyer for specific pieces. Others want speed and simplicity above everything. Neither preference is wrong, and knowing yours helps us structure the conversation.

How the Appraisal Works

The appraisal is a systematic examination of every coin and metal item you bring. We start with a quick overview of the collection to get a sense of the categories represented: US silver, US gold, foreign coins, bullion, slabbed coins, currency. Then we work through each category methodically.

For silver coins, we identify each date, mint mark, and approximate grade. Common dates get a standard offer; key dates and scarce varieties get individual pricing. For gold, we note the denomination, date, mint mark, and grade for pre-1933 coins. For modern bullion, we verify the product and weight. For slabbed coins, we reference the population report for the graded coin and current market prices.

We talk as we work. If you want to understand what we are looking at and why, we explain. If you prefer to let us work in silence, that is fine too. The examination is transparent. You can see every coin we pick up and every note we make.

Understanding the Offer You Receive

A legitimate offer is itemized. You should receive a breakdown by category, not a single number for the whole collection. Common silver coins priced by face value amount, Morgan and Peace dollars by date and approximate grade, pre-1933 gold by denomination and grade, slabbed coins by PCGS or NGC number and grade, bullion by product and quantity.

If a dealer hands you a single number with no explanation, ask for the breakdown. Understanding what you are selling and what you are being offered for each component is your right as a seller. It also allows you to make an informed decision about whether the offer is fair for the entire collection versus just selected pieces.

To understand the math behind dealer offers, see How Coin Dealers Calculate Offers.

Why Dealers Show You Spot Prices

For silver and gold content, we reference the current spot price in real time. The London PM fix, Kitco, or a live price feed provides the current market rate. Showing you the spot price before presenting the offer establishes the baseline and demonstrates that the calculation starts from an objective, publicly available number, not from a figure the dealer chose arbitrarily.

The spread between spot and what we pay reflects the dealer's cost of carry, processing, and margin. For common bullion items like American Eagles and junk silver, the spread is tight and predictable. For numismatic coins, the spread is more variable because the dealer is pricing the numismatic premium based on current market conditions and inventory needs.

Written Offers and Why They Matter

Ask for a written offer. A legitimate dealer will provide one. The written offer documents the items, the quantities, and the prices offered for each component. It protects both parties: the dealer commits to a specific price, and the seller has a clear record of what they agreed to.

Written offers also give you time. You are under no obligation to accept immediately. Take the written offer home, research the prices, compare with other buyers if you wish, and return when you are ready. We do not impose same-day pressure.

Cash vs Wire Transfer: How Payment Works

We pay cash for smaller transactions and offer bank wire for larger ones. Both are processed the same day, the moment you accept the offer. There is no waiting period, no check-clearing delay, no mailing a check later. You accept, we pay.

For wire transfers, have your bank routing and account number ready. Wire confirmation is immediate at major banks. For transactions above certain thresholds, we are required to obtain identification and may file IRS Form 1099 depending on the transaction type. We will inform you in advance if this applies.

What to Do If You’re Not Happy With the Offer

You are not obligated to accept. If the offer is lower than you expected, ask for the reasoning behind specific line items. If you believe a coin is priced below its actual market value, say so and ask the dealer to walk through their pricing methodology for that piece. A legitimate dealer will engage in this conversation.

If after that conversation you still believe you can do better, get additional quotes. Visiting two or three Austin-area dealers and comparing written offers is a legitimate strategy, particularly for collections with significant numismatic content. Keep the coins in your possession until you are satisfied with an offer you want to accept.

Home Visits: When That Option Makes Sense

For very large collections in Austin, including estates in Tarrytown, Westlake Hills, or Barton Creek where transport is difficult, a home appointment may be appropriate. Call ahead to describe the collection, and we will advise whether a home visit makes sense or whether transport to our Smith Road location is preferable.

For most collections, transporting to our location is both safe and practical. A box of albums and loose coins can be transported in a shopping bag. Use a discreet container that does not announce its contents.

Red Flags: What a Legitimate Dealer Won’t Do

Avoid any dealer who:

• Refuses to provide a written itemized offer
• Pressures you to accept immediately without time to consider
• Cannot explain how they arrived at any price in the offer
• Offers a single lump sum without breaking down what they are paying for each category
• Claims a coin is worthless or fake without showing you why
• Asks you not to get additional quotes
• Does not require identification for the transaction

See our contact page or visit our Austin coin selling page for more about working with us.