Sell Gold Bullion

Bullion isn't priced like jewelry

Gold bullion — coins and rounds bought specifically as an investment — starts from the same baseline as any gold item: weight × purity × the live spot price. Use the calculator above with your coin's stated weight (often 1 troy ounce or a fraction of one) and its fineness to see the current bullion value. But unlike jewelry, bullion frequently sells for more than that number, not less.

Why bullion can sell above melt value

Recognized bullion coins from national mints — the American Eagle, the Canadian Maple Leaf, and the South African Krugerrand, among others — carry a premium over spot price. That premium reflects the coin's guaranteed weight and purity, its liquidity, and demand from collectors and investors. A well-known 1 oz coin in good condition can often be sold for spot price plus a percentage, rather than at a discount the way scrap jewelry is.

Fineness: .999 and .9999 explained

Bullion fineness is usually stamped directly on the coin or round:

• .999 fine = 99.9% pure gold (common for many bullion coins and rounds).
• .9999 fine = 99.99% pure gold (used by coins like the Canadian Maple Leaf).
• 22K (.9167 fine) = used by some coins, like the American Eagle, which is alloyed with a small amount of copper and silver for durability.

The calculator above lets you plug in the exact fineness so the value reflects your coin precisely, not a rough estimate.

Where to sell — and where not to

Bullion should go to a dedicated coin or bullion dealer, not a general pawn shop or a jewelry-focused gold buyer. Bullion dealers understand premiums, can verify authenticity quickly, and are far more likely to pay close to or above melt value. A pawn shop unfamiliar with bullion may simply weigh your coin as generic scrap gold and offer well below what it's actually worth.

Authenticity and packaging matter

Keep bullion in its original mint packaging, tube, or certified holder whenever possible — it helps a dealer verify authenticity faster and can support a better price. Loose, worn, or unfamiliar coins may be tested more thoroughly (weight, dimensions, magnet test, sometimes ultrasound or XRF) before a dealer commits to an offer, which is normal and protects both parties from counterfeits.

Getting the best price

• Check the live melt value above as your floor, not your expected sale price.
• Get quotes from two or three bullion or coin dealers — premiums vary by dealer and by coin.
• Keep original packaging and certificates intact until you're ready to sell.
• Bring photo ID; dealers are generally required to record precious-metal transactions.