The questions
collectors ask most.

Yes. Every coin in Snowpack inventory is PCGS, NGC or CACG certified — occasionally ANACS for the right piece — and sold in the original grading company holder. We never sell raw coins, "details grade" coins as problem-free, or wholesale lots.

CAC is the Certified Acceptance Corporation, an independent service that verifies a coin is solidly within its assigned PCGS or NGC grade. A CAC sticker indicates a third layer of authentication on top of the holder, typically reserved for the higher end of any grade. (CACG is CAC's own grading service — coins in CACG holders are CAC-quality by design, no separate sticker needed.) Coins on Snowpack that carry a CAC sticker are clearly labeled.

Coins under $100 ship USPS First-Class ($5). Everything from $100 up to $2,500 goes USPS Priority Mail, insured with tracking ($15) — typically 2-4 business days. Orders of $2,500 and up ship free via USPS Registered Mail with full insurance and signature confirmation; Registered is slower (often 1-2 weeks) but it is the safest method there is for expensive coins. Local pickup around Conifer, CO is free — choose it at checkout. See the Shipping policy for the full breakdown.

Yes — and you should, on larger orders. Card payments carry a 3% processing surcharge (Colorado law allows it and we pass through cost). ACH is free to you on our end, though it takes 3-5 business days to clear before we ship. On a $2,500 coin the ACH path saves you $75.

Most of the fixed-price inventory is offer-eligible; some coins are listed at firm prices. If a coin accepts offers, you'll see a "Make an Offer" button on its detail page. Mike reviews every offer personally and responds the same day — accept, counter, or a clean no.

First Sunday of each quarter — January, April, July, and October — at 8 PM Eastern. The full catalog publishes a week ahead for preview + proxy bidding. Lots close in sequence 60 seconds apart. A bid in the last 60 seconds extends that lot by 2 minutes — standard anti-sniping. Strict reserves where applicable. Hammer is what you pay; no buyer's premium.

With proxy bidding, you enter your maximum and the system bids just enough to keep you winning. It won't advance past your max. Most online auctions use proxy bidding including Heritage and Great Collections.

Some auction lots carry a reserve — a minimum price the bidding has to reach for the coin to sell. If the reserve isn't met, the lot goes unsold and the consignor either relists, takes it back, or accepts a below-reserve offer after the auction. We don't do secret reserves that exceed reasonable expectation.

Yes — 14 days from delivery, full refund, no restocking fee. The coin needs to come back in the original grading company holder. Auction wins are final (the preview week is your inspection window). See the Returns policy for the full procedure.

No. Customs handling for high-value coins is a category of complexity we're not set up for. We ship to the continental US, Alaska, and Hawaii only.

Yes, see the Consignment page. We take a small number of carefully-chosen lots each quarter — not a mass-consignment service. Email with photos and your grading certificate numbers to start the conversation.

Yes. Email mike@snowpackcoins.com with photos, cert numbers, and what you're looking to sell. We buy PCGS, NGC or CACG-graded early American silver, classic commemoratives, and select gold (occasionally ANACS for the right piece). If the coin isn't our lane, we'll tell you who we'd recommend instead.

Mike is based in Colorado. The dealer community in the Rocky Mountain West is smaller and tighter than either coast, which has advantages — estate leads move informally, show relationships are multi-decade, and everyone pays attention to what everyone else is listing. You get access to coins a transcontinental wholesaler wouldn't see.