You've got coins (a few silver dollars, a set of proofs, or a whole collection from a relative) and you want to know what they're worth before you decide anything. In Palm Beach County you have options, from coin shops and shows to formal appraisers. The trick is knowing which kind of "appraisal" you actually need, because the word covers three very different things.
Three things people mean by "appraisal"
1. A value check
A quick, informal read on what a coin or group of coins is roughly worth and why. It's usually based on identification, condition and recent sold prices. This is what most people want first, and many dealers do it with no obligation.
2. An offer
A firm price a dealer will pay you today. It's not the same as the coin's retail value: a dealer has to resell the coin, so an offer comes in below retail. An honest dealer will tell you which one they're giving you.
3. A formal written appraisal
A signed document, usually from a credentialed appraiser, that states a value for a specific purpose: insurance, estate settlement, dividing property, or a charitable donation. For example, the IRS generally requires a qualified appraisal for donated property valued over $5,000 (see IRS Publication 561 and Form 8283). These usually cost a fee, and the appraiser shouldn't also be the buyer.
If you need a document for a court, an insurer, an estate attorney or the IRS, ask for a formal appraisal and confirm the appraiser's qualifications with whoever needs the document. If you just want to know what you have and what your options are, a value check is the right starting point.
How to prepare (and save everyone time)
- Don't clean anything. Cleaning lowers value. Leave coins as you found them.
- Keep things together. Original holders, mint boxes, certificates and envelopes with notes can all matter. Don't break up sets.
- Do a rough sort. Separate graded coins (in PCGS or NGC slabs), silver and gold, proof and mint sets, and everything else.
- Write down what you know. Where the coins came from, roughly when they were bought, and any paperwork.
- Photograph a sample. Front and back of the best pieces, plus a photo of the whole group. That's often enough for a first look.
- Check slabs yourself. Look up each cert number on the PCGS or NGC website. It takes a minute and confirms the label matches the coin.
Our step-by-step guide to how to find out what your coin is worth shows how to check sold prices on your own, so you walk in with a realistic range.
Why any honest value is a range
Two coins with the same date can be worth very different amounts because of the mint mark, a variety, or condition differences you'd only notice under magnification. For graded coins, one grade point can change the value a lot (our MS70 Silver Eagle guide explains why). For silver and gold coins, part of the value moves daily with metal prices.
So expect a range, and expect it to be explained. A good appraiser or dealer should tell you what drives the number: the grade, the comparable sales, the metal content. Be wary of anyone who names a price without looking closely, or pressures you to decide on the spot.
Red flags when getting coins appraised
- An offer before they've really looked at the coins.
- Pressure to sell immediately, or an offer that "expires" at the door.
- Unwillingness to explain how they reached a number.
- Cherry-picking: offering on the two best coins and refusing to look at the rest.
- Cleaning or handling your coins carelessly.
It's fine to get more than one opinion. A fair dealer won't mind.
Where to get coins looked at in Palm Beach County
- A local coin dealer for a value check or offer. Choice Custom Collections serves Lantana, Palm Beach County and nearby areas by appointment, a short drive from Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. Hands-on looks are by appointment.
- Coin shows and clubs. Local shows bring many dealers into one room, which makes comparing opinions easy. We list the shows we attend on our contact page.
- A credentialed appraiser if you need a formal written appraisal for insurance, an estate or a donation.
- Grading services (PCGS, NGC) don't appraise value, but grading can be worth it for the right coins. See raw vs. graded.
If you're thinking about selling, read selling a coin collection in Palm Beach County next.
How a value check works with us
We don't issue formal written appraisals for tax or court use. What we offer is a no-obligation look and an honest read on value:
- Send photos on our What's my coin worth? page, or for a full collection or estate, use the consign and appraise form.
- We reply by email with questions, a rough sense of value and the recent sales it's based on.
- You decide. Keep it, sell it, consign it, or walk away. If you'd like a hands-on look in Lantana, we'll set an appointment.
Our shop inventory is arriving soon. To hear about new guides and the shows we'll be at, join the Choice Cuts newsletter.
FAQ
Where can I get coins appraised in Palm Beach County?
Local coin dealers, coin shows and credentialed appraisers all value coins. Choice Custom Collections offers a no-obligation look in Lantana, by appointment or by sending photos online.
What's the difference between an appraisal and an offer?
An appraisal or value check estimates what a coin is worth. An offer is what a dealer will pay you today, which is usually below retail because the dealer has to resell it.
Do I need a formal written appraisal?
Only if someone requires one, such as an insurer, an estate attorney, a court or the IRS. For a donated coin collection over $5,000, the IRS generally requires a qualified appraisal (IRS Publication 561 and Form 8283). For simply knowing what you have, a value check is enough.
Should I clean my coins before an appraisal?
No. Cleaning lowers value. Bring or photograph them exactly as they are.
Can you appraise coins from photos?
Photos are enough for a rough range on many coins. A firm offer or precise value needs the coins in hand, because details like cleaning and small marks are hard to see on screen.
How long does a coin appraisal take?
A single coin can take minutes. A large collection or estate takes longer, so sending photos and a rough inventory first helps.
Values for collectible coins change with the market and depend on grade. Nothing here is an offer, a formal appraisal, tax advice or investment advice.
Have a coin you're curious about? Use our What's my coin worth? form to send a few photos and request an offer or a rough sense of value.