Coin shops in Virginia

Sales tax when you buy

Bullion Partly exempt

Qualifying gold, silver and platinum bullion is exempt through July 1, 2028. Its value must depend on mass and purity rather than form or numismatic value.

Palladium bullion is not named. The current exemption does not set a minimum purchase amount.

Collectible coins Partly exempt

Virginia exempts government-issued legal-tender coins of any metal. The enacted 2026 budget extends the exemption through July 1, 2028.

Jewelry and works of art are excluded. Privately issued medals and tokens do not meet the legal-tender definition.

Sources: Virginia Code 58.1-609.1(19), definitions · Virginia 2026 HB30, Chapter 1, item 3-5.22

When you sell to a dealer

ID

Coin purchases and sales are exempt from Virginia's precious-metals dealer chapter and local ordinances on that subject. Covered non-coin purchases require government-issued photo identification and purchase records. A shop may apply its own identification policy.

What the dealer records

Covered precious-metals and gems purchases require records retained for at least 24 months; the coin exemption is separate.

Sources: Virginia Code 54.1-4109, coin exemption · Virginia Code 54.1-4101, purchase records

Dealer licensing

Dealers covered by the precious-metals chapter obtain a permit from the local chief law-enforcement officer. Coin sales and purchases are exempt from this chapter; general business requirements are separate.

• Precious-metals dealer permit for covered businesses · Local chief law-enforcement officer

If something goes wrong

• Virginia Attorney General, consumer complaints

• The tax code page retains an older sunset date; the enacted 2026 budget extends the exemption through July 1, 2028.
• Confirm identification and payment policies with the shop before visiting.