Coins & Bullion
How to Sell Coins in the Upstate: A Beginner’s Guide
Short answer: to sell coins, first figure out whether each coin is worth more for its metal (melt value) or its collector (numismatic) value, then take them to a knowledgeable local buyer who checks both and walks you through the offer. Here’s how to tell the difference and get a fair price in the Upstate.
Melt value vs. collector value
Every coin is worth at least its metal content. Some are worth much more to collectors because of date, mint mark, condition, or rarity.
- Melt (bullion) coins: most common-date silver and gold coins, 90% “junk” silver, and modern bullion (Eagles, Maples). Priced on the live metal spot.
- Collector coins: key dates, low-mintage issues, high-grade or certified coins, and older gold. These can bring a premium well above melt.
A good buyer checks for both, and we’ll walk you through your offer before you decide whether to sell, which is why where you sell matters. If you are not sure what you have, a free coin appraisal in Greenville tells you before you sell.
How to prepare your coins
- Don’t clean them. Cleaning can lower a collectible coin’s value. Leave them as-is.
- Keep them organized. Rolls, folders, or original holders help.
- Bring everything. Even “junk” coins have silver value; let the buyer sort them.
- Bring a photo ID. Required in South Carolina for precious-metal sales.
Where to sell coins in the Upstate
Sell to a local shop that knows numismatics, not just melt, that’s the difference between getting paid for a key-date coin and having it melted. See our sell coins page for what we buy.
Ready to sell in Greenville? Walk in to Greenville Gold & Silver, just off Woodruff Rd, or call 864-901-7975. Family-run since 2012, 4.9 stars from 800+ Google reviews. Get your coins evaluated.
Greenville Gold & Silver buys single coins, jars of change, and full estate collections. Family-run since 2012, 4.9 stars from 800+ Google reviews, just off Woodruff Rd. Call 864-901-7975.
Have coins to sell? Sell your coins in the Upstate at Greenville Gold & Silver. We also buy gold, silver, bullion, and more, tested in front of you, cash on the spot. Call 864-901-7975.
What we actually see across the counter
Most of what comes in is not rare, and that is fine. It is 90 percent junk silver dimes, quarters, and half dollars from before 1965, common-date Morgan and Peace dollars, and modern Eagles and Maples. Those are paid on the live silver price, and we will show you the weight and the math. Every so often something special turns up, a key-date coin, an older gold piece, or a certified coin in high grade, and those we price on their collector value, which can run well above melt.
We also buy world coins and religious silver that a lot of shops wave off. If you are not sure what you have, just bring it in. We will sort the melt pieces from the collector pieces with you and walk you through your offer before you decide.
Should I clean my coins first? Please do not. Cleaning an older or collectible coin can knock real value right off it. We would much rather see it exactly the way you found it.
Worked example: melt value of junk silver and a Morgan dollar
Example numbers only, at a round silver price of $58 an ounce. It is not today’s price.
- A roll of pre-1965 quarters: each quarter weighs 6.25 grams and is 90 percent silver, so it holds about 0.18 troy ounces. A $10 roll of 40 quarters holds about 7.23 troy ounces, and 7.23 × $58 = about $420 in melt value.
- A Morgan or Peace dollar: 26.73 grams at 90 percent silver is about 0.773 troy ounces, or about $45 in melt value at $58.
Melt value is what the metal is worth at spot, not the offer. Worn coins weigh a little less, and a key-date or high-grade dollar can be worth well above melt to collectors, which is why we check every coin for both melt and collector value, then walk you through your offer before you decide.
