Know more
before you sell.
Practical guidance for preparing valuables, understanding an offer and planning your visit to Sierra Coin & Gold in Reno.
Gold purity and the difference between weight and value
A karat mark describes gold fineness, while gross weight describes the full object on a scale. Stones, springs, clasps and non-gold components can mean the two do not translate directly into an offer. A mark also needs verification.
Start with our gold-selling guide for the factors we review, the kinds of gold items you can bring and the difference between a market reference and a purchase offer.
Sterling silver is not the same as silver plate
Sterling, plated and weighted items can look similar but contain very different amounts of silver. A heavy candlestick may include substantial filler, and a flatware set may contain more than one material.
Our sterling silver and flatware guide explains marks, construction and the information worth gathering before visiting. Keep items intact and bring any maker or pattern documentation you have.
Preserving coins and currency before evaluation
Do not clean, polish or rub coins to make them look newer. Do not iron, tape or repair notes. Alterations can affect surfaces, originality and collector value. Keep holders and collection labels with the items.
Read our coins and currency guide for the difference between bullion and numismatic value, why dates and mintmarks matter, and how to prepare an inherited collection.
Jewelry appraisals, asking prices and purchase offers
Insurance replacement values and retail asking prices describe different markets from a sale of a preowned item. Neither automatically establishes what a buyer can pay. Condition, maker, stones, current demand and costs may all influence an offer.
Explore selling fine jewelry or selling a luxury watch for item-specific information. For a mixed inherited group, our estate collection guide covers practical preparation and the limits of a purchase evaluation.
From the Sierra journal
Explore our journal archive for articles on coins, jewelry and precious metals. Market updates retain their original publication dates and reflect conditions at the time they were written.
Before you visit.
Should I clean valuables before selling?
Ask first. In particular, avoid cleaning coins, polishing vintage watches or altering paper money. There is no need to repair jewelry or dismantle silver before a conversation.
What information is helpful?
Boxes, grading reports, watch service records, silver patterns and collection notes can help. Bring what you already have; you do not need to create extensive records before contacting us.