Inherited a collection from a parent or grandparent? Downsizing your own? Have specific coins you'd like to move? I buy outright — fair numbers, fast decisions, no waiting on a consignment auction window. If you're in the Denver area, even better; I'd love to find a time to sit down in person.
What I'm the right buyer for
- Early American coinage through the 1950s — half cents, large cents and the colonial copper that came before, draped busts and capped busts, flowing hair dollars, Seated Liberty across every denomination, Indian Heads, Federal contract pieces like Fugios.
- Pre-1933 US gold, all denominations — gold dollars, quarter eagles, half eagles, eagles, double eagles. Especially in better grades with original surfaces.
- Anything rare with eye appeal. Original skin, gorgeous toning, unmolested surfaces. Coins that have spent a century quietly carrying their own patina.
- Standout Morgans and Peace dollars. Not my main lane, but a great example walks in and goes straight in the inventory.
- Slab-graded coins (PCGS, NGC or CACG) preferred — occasionally ANACS for the right piece. Raw coins considered if they're right.
When I'm not the right buyer
I'm a specialist, not a generalist coin shop. There are categories where you'll do better at a bullion dealer or a generalist:
- Bullion silver, generic American Eagles, common-date gold rounds.
- Pre-1965 silver "junk" bags and 90% silver halves by the roll.
- Rolls of common-date Lincoln cents, Mercury dimes, Roosevelt dimes, etc.
- Heavily cleaned coins, problem coins, or mostly "details" grade material.
- Modern proof and mint sets sold from the US Mint (1968+).
If your collection is mostly any of those, you'll get better numbers elsewhere and I'd rather tell you that than waste your time. I'm happy to point you to someone who'd be the right fit if I can.
How it works
- Send photos using the form below. Phone shots are completely fine — I just need to see the coins. Stack slabs in a row with the labels facing the camera. A representative selection is enough; you don't need to photograph every coin.
- I'll respond within 24 hours. Either with a real conversation about numbers, or with a pointer to someone better suited.
- Denver area? Let's meet in person. I love getting eyes on coins, and the conversation is faster + better when we're looking at the material together. If you are attending an upcoming coin convention, we can also meet at our table. See our Show Calendar for dates and locations. Otherwise we work out shipping logistics by phone — USPS Registered Mail, fully insured, both ways.
A small note about valuations
One thing to know up front: Snowpack is one person. I can't do written appraisals or coin-by-coin valuation reports as a service. What I can do is give you a fair, motivated number on material I want to own — and be honest when something isn't my lane. Photos are the screen, not a barrier. They're the fastest way for me to tell you something useful without spending hours on inquiries that don't lead anywhere for either of us.
If you're looking specifically for an estate appraisal for tax or insurance purposes, that's its own profession — I'd recommend an ANA-accredited numismatic appraiser for that. They charge for it because it's real work.
Tell me what you have.
For coins that warrant the auction route — better dates, exceptional condition, anything with active collector demand — consigning to a Snowpack quarterly auction often realizes more than an outright buy. 10% commission, transparent settlement, you keep more of the upside. We can talk about which route fits your collection.