# Buying Coins on the Internet **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 5, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651 "2007-10-05T16:54:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/1 "2007-10-05T16:54:29Z")
Does anyone have any experience buying gold/silver coins on the Internet? Can you recommend a reputable/fair dealer? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/2 "2007-10-05T23:53:12Z")
I need some info first. How much are you looking to spend? $100, $1000, $10000? What state are you in? (sales tax issue) ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/3 "2007-10-06T00:13:47Z")
In CA. Probably $1500 - $2000. (Two one ounce gold coins) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/4 "2007-10-06T00:27:42Z")
[QUOTE=shelbo] In CA. Probably $1500 - $2000. (Two one ounce gold coins) [/QUOTE] You would probably be better off going to a local bullion dealer who will charge you a small percentage above spot gold price, without any real regard for collector value. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/5 "2007-10-06T01:03:39Z")
My reading of the California sales tax on gold bullion is that, if over $1000, you’re exempt. I echo **Chefguy**. Call each of the dealers listed in your phone book, ask how much a Canadian Maple Leaf 1 ounce gold coin cost, and go to the guy who has them in stock and will sell to you. Ask how you can pay–usually cash. Get a receipt. While I said “Maple Leaf,” feel free to ask the guy what his buy/sell spreads are on K-rands, MLs, American Gold Eagles. These are the big three. ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/6 "2007-10-06T03:47:28Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] My reading of the California sales tax on gold bullion is that, if over $1000, you’re exempt. I echo **Chefguy**. Call each of the dealers listed in your phone book, ask how much a Canadian Maple Leaf 1 ounce gold coin cost, and go to the guy who has them in stock and will sell to you. Ask how you can pay–usually cash. Get a receipt. While I said “Maple Leaf,” feel free to ask the guy what his buy/sell spreads are on K-rands, MLs, American Gold Eagles. These are the big three. [/QUOTE] Are there no internet sellers that are reputable with a fair price? It’s not really for an investment - I wanted to get one Gold Eagle for each of my two kids from the years of their birth. I can go find a dealer without too much trouble, I guess, but the convenience of having some one send it to me is worth something. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/7 "2007-10-06T05:16:47Z")
[QUOTE=shelbo] Are there no internet sellers that are reputable with a fair price? It’s not really for an investment - I wanted to get one Gold Eagle for each of my two kids from the years of their birth. I can go find a dealer without too much trouble, I guess, but the convenience of having some one send it to me is worth something. [/QUOTE] OK. You should be able to find someone to send you two American Gold Eagles for whatever the spot price is($738 today) plus about $35 per coin. Total cost, $1546, plus their shipping and handling. Assuming you don’t live within 20 miles driving distance to a local dealer, go for the internet. I strongly urge you, unless you live in a remote area, to buy from a local dealer. When you go to sell, you’ll have a relationship already. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-coins-on-the-internet/421651/8 "2007-10-06T11:53:14Z")
I buy [here](http://www.mintproducts.com/)