How to Ship Gold Coins in the Mail
Gold is a valuable mineral and coins are one way gold is bought and sold. Whether you are a dealer selling gold coins for profit, or giving gold coins as gifts to loved ones far away, shipping gold coins properly in the mail will ensure their safe and prompt arrival. Shipping gold coins through the U.S. mail is both economical and safe, as registered mail can be tracked and is rarely lost.
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Instructions
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Learn the value of your gold coins before you go to the post office. You will need to know the worth of the gold in order to purchase insurance on the package. Look in coin guides or on the Internet to see what the current value of your coins is, or check with an established coin dealer if you are new to the hobby and just learning how to grade gold coins and determine their worth.
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Pick up some Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for shipping at the post office. There is no cost for the boxes themselves. The Flat Rate box allows you to ship anything that fits into the box for one price anywhere in the United States, as long as the item or items do not weigh over 70 pounds. As of 2010, a small Flat Rate box ships for $4.95. While First Class mail may be cheaper if shipping one or two coins, the combined weight of the coins and holders must be less than 13 oz. Anything exceeding that weight ships at the same or higher price than priority, and is not as secure. First Class postage is determined by which zone the shipment is going to, meaning different shipping cost for coins of the same weight to different areas of the country.
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Package each coin securely in a coin holder, or coin protector if it isn't already packaged. Coins should be handled as little as possible with bare hands, and by the edges when handling is necessary, in order to prevent accidental scratches and damage from skin oils. Wrap filled coin holders or coin protectors in bubble wrap and tape securely.
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Insert bubble-wrapped coins into a Flat Rate box and add packing material to keep the coins from moving around. If you are a coin dealer, you will need to include a packing list or order confirmation that you have created, or printed if you sell online and use Paypal to receive payment. If the coins are a gift, include a note or card describing the items and how to care for them. This note will serve both as a personal message, and to verify the contents if the package is lost or damaged. Tape the box securely.
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Write the buyer or recipient's name and address in the designated spot on the box in neat block letters using a black permanent marker. Write your name and return address in the upper left corner of the box.
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Take the package to the post office and ask for Delivery Confirmation and Insurance, along with the Registered Mail option. The amount you pay for insurance will depend on what the replacement cost of the coins is if they are lost, and is usually calculated in the Registered mail fee. The Delivery Confirmation option will allow you to see the exact date and time the gold coins were delivered. Registered Mail is the most secure method of mailing valuables, but may take a bit longer than regular mail. If you choose not to send Registered, the Delivery Confirmation and Insurance options are still available for purchase.
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Keep all receipts and mailing documents to track and verify delivery. Receipts may also be used for tax purposes if running a business.
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Consider buying and installing a program on your home or business computer that enables you to purchase and print postage from home, then notify the post office when you need packages picked up. This option can save you time and money, if you often mail gold coins from your home or business, because some postage and delivery options may be discounted if purchased online.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid writing "gold" or "valuable" on the outside of the package to help prevent theft.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit gold coins image by OMKAR A.V from Fotolia.com
