Four Coin Shops Worth a Visit 

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Despite the growth of online sales, brick-and-mortar coin shops remain important for collectors seeking expertise and personal connections. While online retailers and auctions make shopping easy, many collectors value the opportunity to examine coins firsthand, compare condition and quality, and talk with knowledgeable dealers. These personal interactions also help newcomers learn about the hobby and how to build their collections.

The U.S. collectable coin and trading card industries remain popular and generate approximately $20 billion annually. History.com recently published a list of the top collectable card and coin shops in the United States in its History Picks feature. Here are their top four: 

Witter Coin, San Francisco, California

Founded by numismatist Dean Witter in 1960, Witter Coin has served San Francisco collectors for more than six decades. Following Witter’s death in 1969, the business remained family-owned until Seth Chandler purchased it in 2016. The shop is known for its selection of high-end rare coins. Chandler also supports the next generation of collectors by hosting the Witter Coin University. 

U.S. Coins and Jewelry, Houston, Texas

Founded in 1985 by Kenny Duncan Sr., family-owned U.S. Coins and Jewelry features an 8,000-square-foot showroom known for its extensive collection and knowledgeable staff. The business has earned a reputation for buying and selling rare coins, but its holdings extend beyond numismatics. Notable items displayed there have included a 1934 $10,000 bill featuring Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, gold recovered from the 1857 shipwreck of the SS Central America, and drawings by Pablo Picasso.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries, New York City, New York

Founded as Stack’s Rare Coins in 1933, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is one of America’s oldest rare-coin auction houses and dealerships. The company has since expanded through mergers with American Numismatic Rarities and Bowers and Merena, establishing locations across the United States and internationally. The firm’s Park Avenue gallery in New York City offers an experienced staff who assist walk-in customers, including those seeking guidance on inherited coins. The gallery offers free appraisals and advice from numismatic professionals.

Tangible Investments, Laguna Beach, California

Founded by Silvano DiGenova in 1984, Tangible Investments is known for buying rare coins, antiques, and gold, with more than $2 billion in lifetime transactions. The firm also serves collectors of comic books, sports cards, and other collectibles.

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