The Definitive Seller's Resource

The Complete Guide to
Selling Coins in South Carolina

50+ years of experience. 450+ five-star reviews. PCGS, NGC, CAC & CACG authorized dealers.
We pay more — guaranteed.

Why Sell to a Local Dealer?

When it comes time to sell coins — whether you've inherited a collection, are downsizing, or simply want to convert your coins to cash — you have several options: online auction houses, national dealers, eBay, or a local coin dealer. Each has tradeoffs, but for most sellers in South Carolina, a trusted local dealer delivers the best combination of speed, price, and simplicity.

At Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion in Pendleton, SC, we've been buying coins from collectors, estates, and families across Upstate South Carolina, North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee for over 50 years. We pay on the spot — cash or check — and we don't charge commissions, fees, or make you wait weeks for a check.

Our 450+ Google reviews speak for themselves. Get your best offer anywhere else first, then bring it to us. We'll beat it.

Immediate Payment

Cash or check on the spot — no waiting for auction results

No Fees or Commissions

You keep 100% of what we offer — no deductions

Fast & Simple

Walk in, get an offer, leave with money — same day

450+ Five-Star Reviews

Our reputation is built on honesty and paying the most

What We Buy

If it has numismatic or precious metal value, we want to see it. Here's what we actively purchase:

U.S. Rare Coins

Key dates, semi-keys, early American coins — all series and denominations

PCGS & NGC Certified Coins

Slabbed coins in all grades — we pay top dollar for certified material

CAC & CACG Approved Coins

Green and gold bean coins — we know their true premium value

Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars

All dates and mint marks, circulated and uncirculated

Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins

$2.50, $5, $10, and $20 denominations — Liberty and Indian Head types

Gold & Silver Bullion Coins

American Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands, Pandas, and more

90% Silver Coins

Pre-1965 dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars — junk silver and rolls

World & Foreign Coins

Ancient, medieval, and modern world coins from all countries

Proof & Mint Sets

U.S. Mint proof sets, mint sets, and commemorative coins

Paper Currency

Large notes, silver certificates, national bank notes, star notes, error notes

Gold Jewelry & Sterling Silver

All karats of gold jewelry and sterling silver flatware

Entire Collections

Any size — from a single coin to a seven-figure collection

How We Determine the Value of Your Coins

Every coin is evaluated individually. There is no blanket formula — a 1921 Morgan dollar in Good-4 is worth a fraction of what a 1921-S Morgan in MS-65 CAC commands. Here's what goes into our evaluation:

  • Numismatic Value: Rarity, date, mintmark, and collector demand — some common-date coins are worth face value; key dates can be worth thousands.
  • Grade & Condition: We use the 70-point Sheldon scale. A one-point difference in grade can mean a 10x difference in value on key coins.
  • Certification: PCGS, NGC, CAC, and CACG certified coins command premiums because the grade is guaranteed. We are authorized dealers for all four.
  • Precious Metal Content: For bullion coins, we use live spot prices and our two XRF X-Ray analyzers to verify exact metal content and purity.
  • Current Market Data: We reference PCGS and NGC population reports, recent Heritage and Stack's auction results, and current dealer-to-dealer pricing.

We use two XRF X-Ray analyzers and two Sigma Precious Metal Verifiers — the same equipment used by major grading services. You get an accurate, transparent offer based on real data, not guesswork.

Our Guarantee:

Get your best offer anywhere else first — from any dealer, pawn shop, or auction estimate — then bring it to us. We'll beat it. That's not a marketing line. It's our standard operating procedure for over 50 years.

Certified vs. Raw Coins — What It Means for Your Payout

Certified (Slabbed) Coins

A certified coin has been professionally graded, authenticated, and sealed in a tamper-evident plastic holder by PCGS, NGC, CAC, CACG, ANACS, or ICG. The grade is printed on the holder.

  • Grade is guaranteed — no disputes
  • Authenticity is verified
  • Commands a premium over raw coins
  • Easier to price accurately
  • Do NOT crack out of the holder

Raw (Ungraded) Coins

A raw coin has not been independently graded. It may be in a 2x2 flip, an album, a tube, or loose. Raw coins can still be extremely valuable — many of our best purchases are raw coins.

  • Value depends on our evaluation
  • We use 50+ years of experience
  • Two XRF analyzers verify metal content
  • Two Sigma Verifiers confirm authenticity
  • We often find undervalued raw coins

We are PCGS, NGC, CAC, and CACG authorized dealers — meaning we understand certified coin values at the highest level. Learn more about coin grading →

Why Auctions Cost You 33%+

Auction houses are excellent at marketing — but the fees they charge come directly out of your pocket. Here's the math most sellers don't see until it's too late:

Fee TypeTypical AmountImpact on You
Buyer's Premium20–25%Added to hammer price — paid by buyer, reduces what buyers will bid
Seller's Commission10–20%Deducted from your hammer price before you receive payment
Lot Fees$5–$25/lotPer-item fees regardless of sale price
Photography$10–$50/lotCharged for imaging each coin
Insurance & ShippingVariableYou pay to ship your coins to the auction house

Real Example:

A coin with a $1,000 retail value sells at auction for $900 hammer price. The buyer pays $1,080 (20% buyer's premium). You receive $720 after the 20% seller's commission. That's $360 less than the realization — about 50% left on the table on just one coin.

On a $50,000 consignment, the hammer price is around $42,000. After a 20% seller's fee you net approximately $33,600. That's a loss of $16,400 out of your pocket.

Imagine that on a $500,000 or million-dollar collection. We'd rather not imagine that at all — and neither should you.

Understanding Coin Grading

All major grading services use the 70-point Sheldon scale. The grade of a coin is one of the most important factors in determining its value — sometimes a single grade point means a 10x difference in price.

The major grading services are PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company), CACG (Certified Acceptance Corporation Grading), CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation), ANACS, and ICG. We are authorized dealers for PCGS, NGC, CAC, and CACG.

Joe has over 50 years of experience grading coins. When you bring your collection in, we'll give you an honest assessment — no charge, no obligation.

Read Our Full Grading Guide

Selling Gold & Silver Coins

Gold and silver coins have two components of value: their precious metal content (melt value) and their numismatic (collector) value. Many sellers don't realize their coins may be worth significantly more than melt — and many dealers won't tell you.

We use live spot prices updated in real time and our two XRF X-Ray analyzers to verify exact gold and silver content. For coins with numismatic value above melt, we pay for that too — not just the metal.

Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins

$2.50, $5, $10, $20 — Liberty and Indian Head types often worth far above melt

American Gold Eagles

Bullion and proof versions — we pay full market value

90% Silver Coins

Pre-1965 dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars — we pay competitive silver prices

Morgan & Peace Dollars

Numismatic value often exceeds silver melt — especially key dates

Estates & Inherited Collections

Inheriting a coin collection can be overwhelming — especially when you don't know what you have. We work with executors, attorneys, trust officers, and families regularly to provide fair, documented appraisals and immediate purchase offers.

For significant collections, we will come to you — including bank vault visits. We serve all of Upstate South Carolina and surrounding areas into Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. For very large collections, we can send a representative to any state in the country.

Call Joe directly at 864-502-0100 to have an in-depth conversation about your situation.

What to Do With an Inherited Collection:

  1. Don't clean the coins — cleaning destroys value
  2. Don't remove coins from their holders or albums
  3. Photograph or inventory what you have if possible
  4. Call us before going anywhere else — we'll give you an honest assessment

What to Bring When You Visit

No appointment needed. Walk in Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–5pm. For large collections or if you're traveling a significant distance, calling ahead is appreciated so we can ensure Joe is available.

The Coins Themselves

Bring everything — don't pre-sort or try to identify values yourself

Original Holders & Albums

Keep coins in their original holders — removing them can reduce value

Any Documentation

Old receipts, appraisals, or purchase records are helpful but not required

A Valid ID

Required for purchases over a certain threshold per South Carolina law

Where We Serve

We are located in Pendleton, SC — centrally positioned to serve Upstate South Carolina, North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee. For significant collections, we travel to you.

Upstate South Carolina

Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pendleton, Clemson, Seneca, Easley, Pickens, Gaffney, Union, Laurens, Newberry

North Georgia

Gainesville, Dahlonega, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Clayton, Toccoa, Cornelia, Helen, Hiawassee

Western North Carolina

Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Waynesville, Sylva, Murphy, Bryson City, Cherokee, Franklin

Eastern Tennessee

Chattanooga, Cleveland, Athens, Etowah, Madisonville, Maryville, Lenoir City

Nationwide

For significant collections, we can send a representative to any state in the country. Call Joe to discuss.

Ready to Get Your Offer?

Walk in Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm in Pendleton, SC.
Or send us a message below and we'll get back to you promptly.

Call 864-502-0100

Send Us a Message

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible — or call us directly at 864-502-0100.

Call 864-502-0100

Clemson Coins, Currency, Bullion & Jewelry

WE PAY MORE, ALWAYS!

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Contact & Location

Hours

  • MonBy Appointment
  • Tue10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Wed10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Thu10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Fri10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Sat10:00am – 5:00pm
  • SunBy Appointment

Clemson Coins, Currency, Bullion & Jewelry serves the following Upstate South Carolina cities: Clemson, Pendleton, Anderson, Greenville, Five Forks, Easley, Seneca, Simpsonville, Greer, Fountain Inn, Six Mile, Pickens, Powdersville, Keowee, Walhalla, Fair Play, Oconee, Salem, Lavonia, Toccoa, Atlanta, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and zip codes: 29301, 29302, 29303, 29304, 29305, 29306, 29307, 29319, 29365, 29601, 29602, 29603, 29604, 29605, 29606, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29612, 29614, 29616, 29620, 29621, 29622, 29623, 29624, 29627, 29631, 29640, 29641, 29642, 29643, 29644, 29650, 29651, 29652, 29654, 29670, 29671, 29673, 29672, 29676, 29678, 29680, 29681, 29682, 29687, 29689, 29690, 29691, 29693, 29696, 30553 — featuring and specializing in Morgan & Peace Dollars, Type coins, silver & gold bullion & currency. We also buy gold & silver jewelry. Silver bullion buyers Greenville, gold bullion buyers Greenville, precious metals Greenville. Coin shops near me, coin collectors near me, coin dealers near me, gold dealers near me

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