How Do You Sell Gold and Silver Online by Mail Step by Step?

Maybe you've got a tube of silver rounds you're ready to cash in, or a few gold coins that have been sitting in a drawer for years. Either way, selling by mail can feel a little nerve-wracking the first time. Packing up real gold and silver and handing it to the post office is a big step, and you want to know exactly what happens next.

Selling gold and silver to Monument Metals by mail comes down to five steps. You call us for a quote, lock in your price over the phone, then ship your metal fully insured using our shipping instructions for sellers. We verify your items when they arrive and pay you, usually the same day or by the next business day.

Below, we'll walk you through each step of how selling to us works. We'll also cover what different coins, rounds and fractional pieces tend to bring, and how to compare offers so you feel confident about your price. If you're working through a family collection, our guide to inherited gold or silver is a good place to start, too.

How Does Selling to Monument Metals by Mail Work?

Many people know us as a place to buy precious metals, but we also buy back bullion, numismatics (collectible coins valued for rarity and condition, not just metal), rare coins and currency. There are no minimums, so you can sell a single coin or an entire collection. Here's the whole process at a glance:

1. Call or email us. Tell us what you have. Our buyers can help identify items if you're not sure what they are.
2. Lock in your price. We quote you and lock your price over the phone, so market swings after that don't change your number.
3. Pack and ship. Follow our step-by-step shipping guidelines for secure, discreet, fully insured delivery.
4. We receive and verify. Our team checks your items for type, quantity and authenticity.
5. You get paid. Payment goes out same-day or by the next business day, by email check or bank wire.

How Do You Get a Quote and Lock In Your Price?

Start by calling 1-800-974-3121 or emailing support@monumentmetals.com. Let us know what you're selling: the product names, quantities and condition if you know them. 

Why the Phone Call Matters

Gold and silver prices move throughout the day. That's why we lock in your price over the phone. Once your price is locked, you're protected from market fluctuations while your package is on its way. You can request a quote by email, but final pricing has to be confirmed by phone. That call is what makes the deal official.

Curious how we arrive at a number? Our post on what affects buyback prices explains the main factors.

How Should You Ship Gold and Silver to Us?

No matter how you send your package, two things matter most: pack it securely and insure it for the full amount inside. After years of shipping thousands of packages, we recommend two USPS services. Both let you insure your package as an individual, which UPS and FedEx usually won't do for precious metals. Both also work with USPS Flat Rate boxes, which are free at the post office and can save you a lot compared to paying by weight. Metal gets heavy fast.

Shipments Under $1,000: USPS Priority Mail With Insurance

For smaller shipments, use Priority Mail with insurance in a Small, Medium or Large Flat Rate box. It includes tracking and typically arrives in 2 to 3 days anywhere in the U.S., which is quicker than Registered Mail.

Shipments Over $1,000: USPS Registered Mail With Insurance

Registered Mail is the most secure way to ship in the U.S. short of an armored truck. Your package is signed for at every USPS stop along the way and kept under lock and key unless it's moving. Each Registered Mail package can be insured for up to $50,000. The tradeoff is speed: plan on about 7 to 10 days. Insurance rates on Registered Mail also tend to be the lowest, because the package is so well protected.

Prefer a different carrier or service? That's completely fine. Just make sure the package is insured for the full value.

Packing Tips That Make a Difference

• Double-box it. Put an inner box inside the outer box, so if the outside gets damaged, your metal still has a layer of protection. We do this on our own high-value shipments.
• Insure for the full amount. Never insure for less than the value inside, and rounding up is fine. You'd be surprised how many packages arrive underinsured.
• Stop the rattle. Use plenty of bubble wrap and plenty of tape. If nothing can move inside the box, your items stay protected and the contents stay concealed.
• Keep it low-key. Don't write anything that hints at precious metals. Address it to "MM" or "MMLLC" instead of our full name.

What Happens After Your Package Arrives?

Once you've dropped off your package, email us the tracking number so we can watch for it. When it arrives, our team verifies the contents for type, quantity and authenticity. If anything doesn't match what we discussed, we'll contact you. If everything checks out, your order goes straight to our accounting department for payment.

Things That Can Slow Down Payment

• Your whole order doesn't arrive the same day, for example when it's split across several packages.
• Items differ from what was described in quantity, condition or authenticity.
• You make changes after locking in, such as switching payment method, changing addresses, adding or removing items, or updating wire or email details.
• You're sending very large bars, like kilo gold bars or 1,000 oz silver bars, which need extra authentication time.
• The package was damaged in transit, which may require your written authorization before we can process it.
• Federal or company-observed holidays fall during processing, or the carrier is delayed by weather or other issues, which is outside our control.

How Fast Do You Get Paid, and How?

When your items arrive as described and pass verification, we pay you the same day or by the next business day. Most sellers choose the email check, which is free and arrives in your inbox ready to print and deposit, so there's no waiting on the mail. Here are your options:

What Do Coins, Rounds, and Fractional Pieces Typically Fetch?

Buyback prices are tied to the spot price, which is the current market price for raw gold or silver. What you're offered on top of or below spot depends on the product. When you bought, you likely paid a premium, the amount above spot that covers minting, distribution and dealer costs. Our post on what happens to the premium when you sell explains how much of that typically comes back to you.

Government Coins

Widely recognized coins like the American Gold Eagle are easy for dealers to verify and resell. That often helps them fetch stronger buyback prices than generic products.

Silver Rounds and Generic Bars

A 1 oz silver round is made by a private mint rather than a government. Rounds usually cost less to buy, so they tend to sell back closer to spot.

Fractional Pieces

Fractional coins weigh less than an ounce, like a 1/10 oz or 1/4 oz piece. They cost more per ounce to buy, as explained in why smaller gold coins cost more. They may also bring a bit more per ounce when you sell, though usually not the full premium you paid.

Collectible or graded coins are priced differently, since condition and rarity matter as much as metal content. When you call, our team will quote each item individually.

How Do You Compare Offers From Different Buyers?

If you're shopping around, compare offers on the same day, because prices move. Then look past the headline number:

• Is the price locked? A quote that can change after your package arrives isn't really a quote.
• What do you actually take home? Subtract wire fees, and remember you'll be paying for shipping and insurance either way.
• How fast is payment? Same-day or next-business-day payment beats waiting a week or more.
• Is the buyer legitimate? Check reviews, ratings and contact details. Our guide on spotting a fake dealer website covers the red flags.

We're proud to hold a BBB A+ rating and Inc. 5000 recognition. Our goal is to offer some of the best buyback prices in the industry, with transparent pricing and easy communication from start to finish.

Would You Rather Not Ship at All?

If you live near Frederick, Maryland, or anywhere in the DMV (the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area), you can sell to us locally instead. Our post on selling gold and silver in Frederick walks you through finding the best local offer.

Your Mail-In Selling Checklist

• Call 800-974-3121 or email support@monumentmetals.com, then confirm your locked price by phone.
• Ship Priority Mail with insurance under $1,000, or Registered Mail with insurance over $1,000.
• Double-box, tape well, stop the rattle and address it to "MM" or "MMLLC."
• Email us your tracking number and keep your order unchanged so payment stays fast.
• Choose your payment: a free email check, or a bank wire for $2,500 and up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum amount I need to sell? No. We have no minimums, so you can sell one coin or a full collection.

Can I just get a quote by email? Yes, email quotes are available. Your final price is locked in only after you confirm it with us by phone.

Should I ship with UPS or FedEx? In most cases those carriers won't insure precious metals for individuals, which is why we recommend USPS Priority Mail or Registered Mail with insurance. Our seller shipping page has the full details.

How much should I insure my package for? Insure for at least the full value of what's inside, and rounding up is fine. Underinsuring is one of the most common mistakes we see.

How quickly will I be paid? Once your items are received and verified as described, we pay the same day or by the next business day. Split packages, order changes, damaged boxes, very large bars and holidays can add time.

What's the fastest way to get my money? Most sellers pick the free email check, which arrives in your inbox ready to print and deposit. Bank wires are available for $2,500 and up, with a $10 fee.

Why do some coins sell back for more than others? Recognizability, product type and the premium paid at purchase all play a role. Our post on bid price vs. ask price breaks down how buy and sell prices differ.