Coin Purchase Evaluations in Northwest Arkansas
If you are looking for a coin appraisal, here is what we do and what we do not. We give a purchase evaluation: a close look at your coins, followed by an offer to buy them.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by appointment
- Gold and silver weighed where you can see it
- Bring a photo ID
- No obligation to sell
- By appointment, with time set aside for you
Two different jobs
Both involve someone looking closely at your coins. They are done for different reasons and produce different things.
| Question | Our purchase evaluation | Formal written appraisal |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To make you an offer to buy the coins | To document a value for someone else, such as an insurer, a court or a tax authority |
| Prepared by | The buyer, who is making the offer | An appraiser, normally independent of any sale |
| What you come away with | An explanation of what we see, and an offer | A signed written report that describes the items and states a value |
| What happens next | You accept the offer, decline it, or sell only part | You keep the coins and the report |
| Accepted for insurance, probate or tax | No | Yes, when it meets the requirements of whoever asked for it |
The short version
A purchase evaluation is not a formal written appraisal for insurance, probate or tax purposes. We do not write formal appraisals.
When you need the formal one
These are the usual reasons someone asks for a written appraisal instead of an offer.
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Insurance
An insurer may want a written appraisal before it will list a valuable collection on a policy.
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Probate
A court or the estate's attorney may need a documented value for the estate accounting.
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Tax
Estate, gift and other tax filings can call for a value backed by a qualified appraiser.
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Donation
Giving coins to a charity or museum and claiming a deduction can require a formal appraisal.
Who decides
Whether you need one is a question for your insurance agent, attorney or CPA. They can also tell you what the appraisal has to include.
Selling, not insuring?
If your aim is to sell, a purchase evaluation provides our offer. You are welcome to seek other offers or an independent appraisal before you decide. Please call to arrange a time at our Lowell shop, at your home or at a secure location such as your bank.
What our purchase evaluation covers
We look at each item and explain what we see as we go, in plain language.
What we look at and tell you
- What each coin is: its country, series, date and mint letter
- Its condition, including wear, damage and any sign of cleaning
- Whether it is a gold or silver coin
- Whether it reads as a collector piece or a metal piece
- An offer you can accept or decline, for everything or only some pieces
What it is not
- A formal written appraisal
- A value for insurance, probate, tax or donation purposes
- Third-party grading, such as by PCGS or NGC
We buy U.S. and foreign coins, proof and mint sets, gold and silver coins, and whole collections. Loose coins are covered on our page about selling coins, and albums, folders or boxes on selling a coin collection.
If you need both
You might need a formal appraisal for an estate and still want to sell afterward. The two do not conflict.
- Get the formal appraisal from an independent appraiser, if your attorney or CPA says you need one
- Keep the coins in the same holders and order they were in when appraised
- When you are ready to sell, have the coins and a photo ID at hand
Expect the figures to differ
An appraisal for insurance usually states replacement value, meaning what it would take to replace the coins at retail.
That is typically higher than any buyer's offer, and it is not a sign that either figure is wrong.
What happens at a purchase evaluation
Four steps from your first call to the decision, and you can bring someone with you to the visit.
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Request a time
Use the evaluation request on this page, or call. When you use the form, we call you back during business hours to arrange the appointment.
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Choose a weekday time
Evaluations happen by appointment, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please have a photo ID along with the coins.
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Look at the coins together
We examine each coin with you and tell you what it is, how it has worn and what stands out about it.
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Hear the offer, then choose
You may accept the offer, decline it, or sell only some of the coins. Keeping every coin is a perfectly good outcome.
Ready for a purchase evaluation?
Request an evaluation with the form on this page.
Finding the shop
We are in Lowell, a short way off I-49.
Coming from Rogers takes about 12 minutes by car, and from Bentonville about 18 minutes. Our service area page covers the other nearby towns.
Appraisal and evaluation questions
Do you do coin appraisals?
Not formal ones. We do purchase evaluations, which lead to an offer to buy. A purchase evaluation is not a formal written appraisal for insurance, probate or tax purposes.
How is your offer different from an appraised value?
An appraisal states a value for a stated purpose, such as insurance replacement. Our offer is what we would pay to buy the coins at the visit. The two figures answer different questions.
Who can give me a formal appraisal?
Look for an independent appraiser who specializes in coins and writes reports for the purpose you have in mind. Your attorney, CPA or insurance agent may be able to suggest one.
Can I get a purchase evaluation and not sell?
Yes. You are welcome to hear our offer and decline it. There is no obligation to sell anything.
Should I get a formal appraisal before I sell?
That depends on why you are selling. If an estate, insurer or tax filing needs a documented value, ask your attorney or CPA about a formal appraisal. If you simply want to sell, a purchase evaluation gives you our offer, and you are welcome to compare it with others.
Visit us in Lowell
- Address
- 107 S Lincoln St A, Lowell, AR 72745
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by appointment
- Where we meet
- At our Lowell shop, your home or a secure location such as your bank
- Bring
- A photo ID and the items you want us to look at
A purchase evaluation is not a formal written appraisal for insurance, probate or tax purposes.
Tell us about your items
If you would rather speak with us, please call (479) 250-1954. Or leave your name and number here, and we will call you during business hours to arrange a time.