Frequently Asked Questions

Lone Star Coins is a family-owned and operated coin & collectible retailer that has been in business for over 40 years. We offer the largest in-stock coin & collectible selection in San Antonio and the surrounding area, ensuring immediate availability for both local and online precious metal/numismatic buyers. Our owner-operated team works without commission and genuinely enjoys building relationships with our customers.

Lone Star Coins has been proudly serving the community for over 40 years. We are one of San Antonio’s longest-continuously-operating coin & collectible retailers. We value the strong relationships we’ve built with both customers and local dealers.

No, we exclusively do business via walk-ins! You are welcome to walk in at any time during business hours — there is no need to call ahead.

We conduct business exclusively through our official website (i.e., this site!), our official eBay store (linked here), and our brick-and-mortar location. While we do have multiple social media accounts (including TikTok), WE DO NOT sell through TikTok, Whatnot, or any other platform not explicitly listed above.

If you suspect you are engaging with an impersonator of Lone Star Coins, please report the individual to the appropriate platform or authority. See our Follow Us page for a list of our official social media accounts.

Sí, hablamos español.

Our prices rival those of top national online retailers. If you prefer to see your coin or collectible before purchasing — or enjoy the convenience of immediate possession without the wait for shipping — visit us today for competitive pricing and instant access to your investment.

Yes. We offer the largest in-stock coin & collectible selection in San Antonio and the surrounding area, ensuring immediate availability for both local and online precious metal buyers.

We are San Antonio’s largest bullion and numismatic coin retailer. We maintain an extensive collection of bullion & numismatic coins in-stock and in-store, and we are able to fulfill sales of all sizes.

Of course! If you prefer to shop from the comfort of home, we offer fully insured shipments and same-day order fulfillment for orders placed within business hours. Shop with confidence, knowing you’re buying from a trusted retailer with a physical presence in one of the largest cities in the U.S.

Silver, gold, platinum and palladium bullion of all types (including rounds, bars, government-issued and non-government-issued). Jewelry (bracelets, engagement rings and bands, necklaces, earrings, and more). Rolex watches. Certified natural diamonds. Collectible (graded and non-graded) coins. U.S. (and Confederate) paper money dated 1930 and older. U.S. dimes, quarters, half-dollars and silver dollars dated 1964 or older (commonly known as "junk silver" or "constitutional silver").

We accommodate sales of all sizes — with one of San Antonio’s largest in-store coin & collectible inventories, shopping with us is no hassle.

All silver, gold, platinum and palladium bullion (including bars, rounds, fractional, government and non-government issued). Silver, gold, platinum and/or palladium jewelry of any kind and size. U.S. dimes, quarters, half-dollars and silver dollars dated 1964 or older (commonly known as "junk silver" or "constitutional silver"). Any coins containing silver or gold (including foreign coins). Anything containing precious metals (including jewelry, silverware, sterling silver, etc.). Collectible coins (without precious metal content) that have been graded by either NGC or PCGS. U.S. paper money dated 1920 or older (including Confederate paper money).

We do not, however, purchase plated (gold or silver) items.

Yes — please head over to our Sell to Us page for more information!

As much as you are willing to sell! We can accommodate transactions of all sizes, ranging from one-off sales to total estate liquidations.

Immediately. We know how important it is to sell your precious metals and collectibles at appropriate market times. We proudly bank with both Frost Bank and Chase Bank, and are happy to issue a check from your preferred institution.

Yes. We provide professional and transparent evaluations of your items, including written appraisals for estate purposes.

Yes. We are more than happy to accommodate such a request.

Yes! You're always welcome to drop by and use our metal testing devices, such as our Sigma Metalytics PMVs — totally free of charge.

Yes, we buy silver, gold, platinum and/or palladium jewelry of any kind and size.

Yes, we buy 1-carat-and-up natural stones.

Yes.

Yes, we buy U.S. paper money dated 1920 or older (including Confederate paper money).

We buy foreign coins only if they contain precious metals (e.g., silver, gold, platinum, etc.). We do not buy foreign paper money.

No. We are not currently in the market for pennies or nickels of any kind (including rare error coins or "war" nickels).

Only if the bill is graded by NGC or PCGS.

Only if the coin is graded by NGC or PCGS.

No.

No.

No, we do not offer grading services. Grading is performed exclusively by third-party grading agencies such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).

While some coin shops or bullion dealers may be authorized dealers of PCGS or NGC (such as us), this simply means they sell coins that have already been graded by these agencies — it does not mean they can grade coins themselves.

If you wish to have your coins professionally graded, you will need to contact PCGS or NGC directly. Be cautious of coin shops that claim they can grade your coins, as only PCGS and NGC (or other recognized third-party services) are qualified to provide legitimate, market-recognized grading.

No. We recommend those seeking such services look to either PCGS or NGC for assistance.

As a bullion dealer, we may be required to report certain purchases (from our customers) to the IRS — for example, via IRS Form 1099-B or related filings — and there are resources online (including the IRS website) if you’d like more details on when a reporting obligation arises for Lone Star Coins. If a reporting requirement arises, we will let you know directly, as we usually need to collect certain information from you (e.g., your Social Security number). Additionally, whenever we receive $10,000 or more in cash (or cash equivalents) in a single transaction or related series, we are obligated to file an IRS Form 8300.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. Lone Star Coins is not a tax advisor, accountant, or attorney. You are solely responsible for consulting with your own qualified tax professional or legal advisor to determine how any information may apply to your specific circumstances.

We do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice — and we strongly encourage you to consult your own CPA, tax advisor, or accountant to understand your individual obligations. Depending on your specific situation, you may have tax responsibilities related to gains or losses from the sale of precious metals, such as capital gains taxes. There are many resources available online to help you learn more, including directly from the IRS website.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You are solely responsible for consulting with your own qualified tax professional or legal advisor regarding your specific circumstances.

Silver rounds are privately minted, non-legal-tender silver pieces that resemble coins. Unlike government-issued silver bullion coins, rounds have no face value and are not considered official currency. However, they are typically minted with .999 (or .9999) fine silver, making them a high-purity investment option. Because they are not government-issued, rounds often carry lower premiums over the spot price of silver, come in a wide variety of unique designs, and are widely recognized and easy to trade.

Silver bullion refers to silver bars or government-issued silver coins minted specifically for investment — examples include the American Silver Eagle and the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. Because of their official status and demand, bullion coins often carry a higher premium over spot, but they are government-backed, recognized as legal tender, and offer very high liquidity worldwide.

Which should you choose? If you’re looking for the lowest cost per ounce, rounds are an excellent choice. If you want a widely recognized, government-backed asset, bullion coins may be the better option. Many investors hold a mix of both — rounds for cost-effective accumulation, and bullion coins for added security and recognition.

When buying gold coins, you’ll often come across two types: alloyed and non-alloyed (or pure). Both are excellent choices for stacking or investing, and importantly, both contain the exact same amount of gold by weight. The key difference is what metals, if any, are mixed with the gold.

Alloyed gold coins like the American Gold Eagle and the South African Krugerrand are made with gold blended with other metals (like copper or silver) for durability. These coins are 22 karat (91.67% gold) but still contain a full troy ounce of pure gold; the added metals make them more resistant to wear and handling.

Non-alloyed (pure) gold coins like the American Gold Buffalo and the Canadian Maple Leaf are minted from .9999 fine (24 karat) gold. They contain the same one troy ounce of gold but without added metals, making them softer and slightly more prone to scratches with frequent handling.

Which is better? Both have their merits. Alloyed coins stand up better to wear, while pure coins appeal to those who want maximum purity. Either way, you’re getting the same core value — one full ounce of gold.