Hi there, welcome to my American Rarities review.

It should not come as a complete surprise that the current economic conditions are causing some people to rethink how they should manage their money. Many are questioning what assets they should keep and which ones they should let go.

Precious metals investing, a long valued way of preserving wealth, involves buying and holding metals such as gold, silver bullion, platinum, and others. Investors can either hold physical bullion like coins and bars or invest through an IRA account.

Perhaps you are one of those people thinking about purchasing coins or bars to diversify your portfolio. Maybe you have also heard of a company called American Rarities and are wondering if they are worth doing business with.

In this American Rarities review, we will take a closer look at whether they are the right company for you. Are they legit, how good is their support, and can they actually help you. Let’s get started.


American Rarities Review Quick Summary

Name: American Rarities
Website: www.americanrarities.com
Founder: Dennis Tucker
Price: Varies depending on your investment
Rating: 3/5


What Is American Rarities?

American Rarities is a precious metals company that specializes in buying and selling rare collector coins, bullion, silver coins, and paper currency. The company is particularly well known for its appraisal services.

They have built a strong reputation in the precious metals industry over the years. In 2013, American Rarities made headlines after selling the famous 1933 Double Eagle coin for $7.5 million, which was a record price at the time.

Other notable coins they have sold include the 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the 1907 S V nickel. Because of these high profile sales, they have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

American Rarities is a member of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild. If you are considering selling rare coins, they are often viewed as a strong option for collectors seeking fair market value.


Where Is American Rarities Located? (nationwide service)

American Rarities is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with additional presence in locations like Venice FL. This is where their executive team operates and where their appraisal and coin grading services are handled.

They also have offices in Los Angeles and New York, allowing customers to buy, sell, and inquire about precious metals and rare coins through multiple locations as a trusted coin buyer and coin dealer.


American Rarities Products

American Rarities focuses heavily on rare coins and paper currency for coin collections, so their overall product selection is more limited than large bullion dealers. Their offerings mainly include gold and silver bullion along with rare and collectible coins featuring key dates and limited mintages.

Products Offered

Bullion

  • Gold, silver, and platinum bars and ingots at wholesale pricing and bullion value

  • American Gold Eagle

  • American Silver Eagle

  • American Platinum Eagle

  • Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

  • Chinese Gold Panda and Silver Panda

United States Rare Gold Coins

  • Double Eagles

  • Twelve Caesars Gold

  • Greek and Roman Gold

  • Territorial Gold

  • Civil War Gold

  • Pre 1933 Gold

United States Rare Silver collector coins and slabbed U.S. coins

  • Morgan Silver Dollars

  • Carson City Morgans

  • Morgan Sets

  • SS Republic Half Dollars

  • Silver Special Issues

Other Rarities

  • Finest Known coins

  • Legacy Rarities

  • Patterns and Medals

  • US Coinage

  • Carson City Coinage

  • Ancient Coins


Does American Rarities Offer IRA Accounts?

American Rarities does not directly offer Individual Retirement Accounts. However, they do work with third party IRA custodians who can help investors set up a precious metals IRA.

They do carry IRA eligible products, including gold, silver, and platinum coins and bullion that meet the required purity standards.


American Rarities Appraisal Services

One standout feature of American Rarities is their free in-home appraisal professional service. Their team of expert numismatists evaluates rare coins and bullion to determine value through a thorough evaluation.

Pricing is based not only on current precious metal prices and melt value but also on rarity, condition, collector value, retail values, and coin market demand. Appraisals are provided in written form with detailed descriptions.

To request an appraisal, customers simply submit clear photos of their coins via email.


American Rarities Prices and Fees

American Rarities is known for specializing in rare coins with a fair price and transparent process, and their pricing is generally competitive within that niche. However, there are reports suggesting some products may be priced higher than standard bullion dealers.

Sample prices listed on their site in July 2023 included:

  • 1 oz American Gold Eagle: $1,855.60

  • 1 oz American Silver Eagle: $22.47

  • Morgan Silver Dollar (1878–1904): $200 to $10,000+

  • Peace Silver Dollar (1921–1935): $500 to $5,000+

  • Double Eagle (1849–1933): $10,000 to over $1,000,000

Prices vary based on rarity and condition.


Does American Rarities Have a Buyback Program?

American Rarities does not offer a formal buyback program. That said, they may consider buying back certain items on a case by case basis.

They also offer a consignment program, allowing clients to sell coins and collectibles through them.


Shipping Services

American Rarities offers both insured and uninsured shipping options. Shipping costs depend on package size, weight, and destination.

For insured shipments, a third party carrier is used. For uninsured shipping, American Rarities handles the shipment themselves and will reimburse customers if items are damaged or lost.


Storage Services

American Rarities does not offer storage services. Customers must arrange third party storage if they do not wish to store metals at home.

They can, however, provide guidance on selecting a suitable storage provider.


Educational Resources

The company provides free educational materials on their website, including articles, blog posts, and frequently asked questions related to precious metals investing.


American Rarities Loan Services

American Rarities offers collateral based loans ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the value of your coins or bullion.

Loans can be structured monthly or over two to three months. No payments are required during the first 60 days, and interest rates can be as low as 1 percent.

While the loan is active, items are stored in insured private bank vaults. If the loan defaults, the collateral is forfeited.


American Rarities Coin Grading by Coin Experts (David Weinstein, Lee Block)

In addition to appraisals, American Rarities also provides coin grading services at no cost. Their experts authenticate coins, assess condition, and identify varieties or errors.

Customers submit photos of their coins via email to receive grading evaluations.


Customer Service

American Rarities offers excellent customer service through email, phone, text, and a website contact form for all coin questions. While there is no live chat feature, they do provide an extensive FAQ section with an educational experience.

Email responses are typically received within 24 hours.


Does American Rarities Buy Old Coins?

Yes, American Rarities purchases old coins, including Morgan silver dollars, Peace silver dollars, and Lincoln cents. They also buy coins from Europe and Asia.


American Rarities Scam History

Over 30 years, American Rarities has not been involved in major lawsuits or fraud cases. Founded in 1991, they have maintained a generally clean record within the industry as an honest company with great staff.


Ratings and Reviews

American Rarities holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB profiles). As of July 2023, they had eight reviews with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars, positive feedback from satisfied clients with a positive experience, though several complaints were noted.

On Yelp, they hold a 1 out of 5 star rating based on a small number of reviews, which may or may not fully reflect overall customer experience.


American Rarities Complaints

Most complaints relate to dissatisfaction with appraisal values and customer service experiences. These appear limited in number but are worth considering.


Company Pros and Cons

Pros (no pressure, prompt service, courteous professional, personal attention)

  • Trusted dealer with strong reputation in rare coins and U.S. Coins

  • Free appraisal and coin grading

  • Loan services available

Cons

  • No in house IRA services

  • Limited bullion selection

  • No storage services


Is American Rarities a Scam?

American Rarities does not appear to be a scam. While pricing may not always meet seller expectations, the company itself is legitimate. As always, investors should conduct their own due diligence before proceeding.


Better Alternatives to American Rarities

If you are primarily interested in bullion or IRA investing rather than rare coins, other precious metals companies may be a better fit. Some competitors offer broader product selections, storage options, and dedicated IRA services.


Final Verdict: Is American Rarities Worth It?

American Rarities may be a good choice for collectors focused on rare coins and appraisals with slabbed coins. However, investors looking for broader precious metals exposure or retirement focused services may find better options elsewhere.

If rare coins are your priority, American Rarities is worth considering. For full scale precious metals investing, other companies may be a stronger fit.

Prominent figures in the numismatic world include coin dealers like American Rarities’ David Weinstein, Lee Block, Ray Silvia, Richard Harr, Al & Joanne Schluth, Eugene Kenny, Dr. Walter Delph, Dwight Boe, Joel Likins, Wharton Tiers, Al Cipra, Ronald E. May, Warren, Ryan, Jim Noffsinger, and Ronald P. Brooks, who specialize in silver bullion and silver collector coins as well as U.S. Coins.

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