Coin Collector-Can I Buy Coins Directly From The U.S. Mint?

Yes. You can purchase coins directly from the U.S. mint, and other government mints, if you choose. Many folks do not know they can order directly from the U.S. mint. There are a few caveats, though.

1. Certain items have a limit to the amount of a specific item you can purchase, sometimes.

2. You can only order coins and sets specific to the present year.

For instance. This year is 2017. Therefore, you can only order 2017 Proof American Eagles, or 2017 American Gold Buffalos, or 2017 mint sets or proof sets. You cannot order a 1968 Special Mint Set or a 1997 Prestige Set.

If you want those or anything existing outside of the present year, you will get it on the secondary market, not from the mint.

Some items, like a 2017 monster box of American Silver Eagles from the San Francisco branch mint or West Point branch mint (500 coins) you cannot get directly from the mint. Those are only sold to certain major distributors of the mint, and would have to order that monster box from one of the mint distributors or the distributors' dealers.

In some instances, you can order hundreds or even thousands of certain items directly from the mint, should they have them available. You can get on the mailing list of the U.S. mint and they will send you updates of their new products and surplus items available for order. You can do that on their website www.usmint.gov and even place orders from their site as well as by USPS mail.

Secondary market products are usually obtained through coin clubs, coin shops, individual collectors or from coin shows and their dealers. Sometimes much less expensive than the original mint issue price.

Find a club in your area by going to the American Numismatic Association website, www.money.org and clicking -find a club- Type in your state and there you go. You have access to collectors and numismatists that can help you in your coin collecting adventures.