Copper State Coin & Bullion does not have a store in Avondale, Tolleson or Buckeye. For most of the I-10 corridor, our nearest counter is the Peoria store on Thunderbird Road, reached by taking Loop 101 north from I-10 to the Thunderbird Road exit. It is open Saturdays as well as weekdays, and it handles buying and selling of coins, bullion and paper money at the same counter.
This guide is for West Valley residents on both sides of the counter, whether you want to buy silver or gold coins or sell coins from Avondale, Tolleson or Buckeye: what to ask when you buy, what happens when you sell, and two Arizona tax provisions that are worth knowing before you do either.
Getting to the counter from the I-10 corridor
We have two stores, and for Avondale, Tolleson and Buckeye the Peoria store is the practical choice. Loop 101 leaves I-10 near Tolleson and runs north toward Glendale and Peoria; take it to Thunderbird Road. The store is on Thunderbird near 83rd Avenue; the full address is at the end of this page.
From Buckeye, the usual approach is east on I-10 to Loop 101, then the same route north. If you are already heading into north Phoenix for work, our second store on East Bell Road may be more convenient.
Both stores open on Saturdays as well as weekdays (full hours below), which matters if you commute east on I-10 all week and want to bring a collection in without taking time off.
Buying bullion: what to ask before you pay
Bullion is priced from the live spot price plus a premium. The spot price is the current market price of one troy ounce of the raw metal. The premium is the amount above spot that covers minting, distribution and the dealer's margin. Current products are in the bullion section of our site, where the final price is set at checkout once you choose a payment method.
Whatever you buy, four questions make any quote comparable:
- What exactly is the product? A government coin, a private round and a bar of the same weight carry different premiums.
- What is the fine metal content? A troy ounce is about 31.1 grams. Fineness tells you how much of that is pure metal.
- Which payment method is the price for? The price can depend on how you pay.
- What is the total, including any tax? See the tax section below.
How a coin's metal value is calculated from its weight and fineness is explained in coin melt value explained.
Buying gold coins: bullion or numismatic
Gold coins fall into two groups, and they are priced on different logic. Bullion coins are priced mainly on gold content. Numismatic coins are priced mainly on date, mintmark, grade and collector demand.
The two most familiar US bullion coins illustrate the bullion side. The US Mint strikes the American Gold Eagle in 22-karat gold, 91.67% gold with silver and copper, and states that each coin contains its stated amount of pure gold. The American Buffalo is struck in .9999 fine 24-karat gold. A one-ounce Eagle and a one-ounce Buffalo therefore hold the same troy ounce of gold. The Eagle is simply heavier, because of the alloy.
Pre-1933 US gold, such as Liberty Head and Indian Head issues, sits on the numismatic side once condition and date start to matter. That is where our collector focus lies; see our rare US coins. If you are looking for a specific date or type we do not have, our want list service explains what the service covers.
Selling coins: why Arizona treats them differently
Arizona's dealer statute treats coins and jewelry differently. A.R.S. § 44-1601 defines the "precious items" that the dealer rules apply to and states that the term "does not include coins." The identification, record and holding requirements for a gold chain therefore do not attach to a coin sale on the face of the statute. A city ordinance may still add local requirements. The full statute, including what happens when you sell jewelry or scrap, is covered in Arizona's precious metals dealer law.
For sellers, we offer a complimentary appraisal: bring the coins in, and we will tell you what they are and what we would pay. If you need a written appraisal for insurance, that is a separate, paid service. For a wider look at how a coin sale works, see selling old coins.
Two Arizona tax provisions worth knowing
Arizona has two tax rules that touch coins and bullion, one on the purchase and one on the gain. Both are worth reading at the source, and both are worth discussing with a tax professional before you rely on them.
On the purchase: A.R.S. § 42-5061(A)(21) exempts sales of "precious metal bullion and monetized bullion" from the transaction privilege tax, Arizona's equivalent of sales tax. We set out what those two terms cover in our West Valley guide for Surprise, Sun City and Goodyear.
On the gain: A.R.S. § 43-1022(25) allows a subtraction from Arizona gross income, for tax years after 2017, of net capital gain "derived from the exchange of one kind of legal tender for another kind of legal tender." The statute defines legal tender as a medium of exchange, including specie, "authorized by the United States Constitution or Congress," and defines specie as "coins having precious metal content." How that applies to any particular sale or product is a question for your tax adviser. It is a state provision only and does not change federal treatment.
This article is educational and reflects general information about precious metals and collectible coins. It is not investment, tax or legal advice, and Copper State Coin & Bullion is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer or tax professional. Metal prices fluctuate and past performance does not indicate future results. Consult a qualified professional about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Copper State have a store in Avondale?
Copper State Coin & Bullion does not have an Avondale store. Our nearest location for Avondale, Tolleson and Buckeye is the Peoria store at 8360 W. Thunderbird Road, reached by taking Loop 101 north from I-10. It buys and sells coins, bullion and paper money and is open Monday to Saturday.
Do I need ID to sell coins in Arizona?
Arizona's dealer statute, A.R.S. § 44-1601, excludes coins from the "precious items" its ID and record rules cover, so on the face of the statute those rules attach to jewelry and scrap rather than coins. A city may add its own requirements, and a dealer may ask for ID as policy. Bring ID if you are also selling jewelry.
Is bullion taxed when I buy it in Arizona?
A.R.S. § 42-5061(A)(21) exempts sales of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion from Arizona's transaction privilege tax. The statute defines both terms. Coins sold for manufacture into jewelry or works of art remain taxable. Check how a specific product is treated with a tax professional.
Should I go to the Peoria or the Phoenix store from Buckeye?
For most of Buckeye, Avondale and Tolleson, the Peoria store on Thunderbird Road is the nearer of the two. The Phoenix store is on East Bell Road in north Phoenix. Both have the same hours, both buy and sell, and either can give you a complimentary appraisal when you are selling.
Can you find a specific coin for me?
We can look for it. Send us your want list and our team will let you know when we locate an item on it. Ask the shop about any fees or deposits, how long a list stays active and whether you are obligated to buy, as those terms are not published.
Bringing Coins In from the West Valley
We bring over 40 years of numismatic and bullion experience to both counters. Bring in coins to sell or questions about a collection you have inherited, or ask about sending us a want list.
Copper State Coin & Bullion - Peoria
8360 W. Thunderbird Road C#103
Peoria, AZ 85381
(623) 432-3953
Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:00 pm · Sat 9:00 am–4:00 pm · Sun closed
Copper State Coin & Bullion - Phoenix
4550 E Bell Road Suite 188
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 377-1944
Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:00 pm · Sat 9:00 am–4:00 pm · Sun closed
