Guides
Guides for Selling Coins and Gold in Philadelphia
Plain-English answers to the questions we hear most. We buy coins ourselves, so we say so where it matters, and we are fair to the other options.
Where to Sell Coins in Philadelphia
For most Philadelphia sellers, a private appointment with a coin buyer is the simplest place to start, since you get a written, item-by-item offer and can be paid that same visit. Auction can make sense for a true rarity if you can wait months for the money. Pawn shops, hotel buying events and mail-in buyers seldom pay collector prices for collector coins.
Read the guideHow Much Are My Old Coins Worth?
An old coin is worth its metal content or its collector value, whichever is higher. Silver dimes, quarters and halves dated 1964 or earlier, silver dollars and U.S. gold struck before 1933 all have a melt floor set by the spot price. Date, mint mark, grade and eye appeal decide whether a coin is worth more than that floor.
Read the guideHow to Sell an Inherited Coin Collection
Leave the coins exactly as you found them, gather any receipts or Mint packaging, and make a rough count by type. Then get a written, item-by-item offer from a buyer who separates collector coins from melt coins, share it with the executor and family, and sell only once everyone agrees. Cleaning coins or splitting them up early tends to cost the family money.
Read the guideWhat the P Mint Mark Means
A P mint mark means the coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. For most of its history Philadelphia used no mint mark at all, so a U.S. coin with no letter usually comes from Philadelphia too. The P appeared on the 1942 to 1945 silver war nickels, on the Susan B. Anthony dollar from 1979, and on most other denominations from 1980, while Lincoln cents almost never carry it.
Read the guideOld Penny Values: What Makes an Old Cent Worth More
An old penny is worth more than a cent when its type, date, mint mark and grade line up. Large cents (1793 to 1857), Flying Eagle cents (1856 to 1858) and Indian Head cents (1859 to 1909) draw collectors even when worn. Wheat cents from 1909 to 1958 are mostly common, with scarce dates and high-grade red coins worth far more.
Read the guideMorgan and Peace Silver Dollar Values
Every Morgan and Peace dollar is worth at least its silver, which is 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver in a 26.73 gram coin. A dollar is worth more than that when collectors want it, and that comes down to its date, mint mark and grade. Worn common dates trade near melt, while scarce dates, Carson City coins and sharp uncirculated pieces carry a collector premium.
Read the guideHow to Sell Gold Jewelry in Philadelphia
Sort your jewelry by its karat stamp, pull out signed, antique and stone-set pieces, and get a rough weight in grams before you call anyone. Then sell to a buyer who tests and weighs each karat group in front of you and puts the offer in writing. Scrap gold is priced on pure gold weight and the live spot price, so knowing your karats and grams protects you.
Read the guideShould You Clean Old Coins?
No. Cleaning a coin lowers its grade, and the damage is permanent. Even a gentle wipe can leave fine scratches and strip the original surface collectors pay for. Leave coins as you found them, hold them by the edges, store them in dry, PVC-free holders, and let a buyer judge them as they are.
Read the guideCoin Scams, Buying Events and Fake Gold
Sellers most often lose money to low offers at traveling hotel buying events, to mail-in buyers who set the price after the gold is gone, and to fake coins or bars bought online. Protect yourself by getting a written, item-by-item offer, watching every test and weighing, and never handing over or shipping metal before you agree on a price.
Read the guideFind out what your coins and gold are worth. Then decide.
- Free evaluation, with no obligation to sell
- Every piece checked in front of you
- A written offer, item by item
- Paid the same visit if you say yes
Request your free offer
Three quick questions. We call back the same business day.
or call (215) 798-9204