Copper State Coin & Bullion has no store in Chandler or Gilbert. Our two counters are in north Phoenix, on East Bell Road, and in Peoria, and from Chandler and Gilbert the Bell Road store is the closer of the two. Both are open Saturdays as well as weekdays; full hours are at the end of this page. This guide is for collectors and bullion buyers in Chandler and Gilbert who want to know what is worth the drive, what can be done without it, and one collecting idea that belongs to these two towns in particular.
Two towns, one year: 1920
Chandler and Gilbert share an incorporation year. The City of Chandler's history page says Dr. A.J. Chandler opened the townsite in May 1912, the same year Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912, and that residents voted to incorporate in May 1920. Two months later, Gilbert followed: the Town of Gilbert's history gives its incorporation date as July 6, 1920. The town grew up around a railroad siding after the Arizona Eastern Railway sought land for its line in 1902, and its history page records the title Hay Capital of the World.
Both began as farm towns: cotton, grain and alfalfa were Chandler's main early crops, according to the city's own account, and Gilbert was known for hay. The coins struck in 1912 and 1920 were the ones in circulation as those towns took shape, which makes them one of the more personal sets a collector in the East Valley can build.
A hometown-year set: the coins of 1912 and 1920
A date set is one coin of each minor and silver denomination struck in a single year, in whatever grade suits the budget, and one built around a town's founding year is a small, finishable project. For Chandler that can mean 1912, the founding and statehood year. For both towns it can mean 1920, the year each incorporated. The table lists the Philadelphia strikes of each, with mintages from PCGS CoinFacts. Philadelphia coins of these years carry no mint mark.
| Year | Coin | Philadelphia mintage (PCGS) | Our series guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | Liberty Head nickel | 26,234,569 | - |
| 1912 | Barber quarter | 4,400,000 | Barber coins |
| 1920 | Buffalo nickel | 63,093,000 | Buffalo nickels |
| 1920 | Mercury dime | 59,030,000 | Mercury dimes |
| 1920 | Standing Liberty quarter | 27,860,000 | Standing Liberty quarters |
| 1920 | Walking Liberty half dollar | 6,372,000 | Walking Liberty halves |
A Lincoln cent completes the minor and silver coins of either year; PCGS lists Philadelphia mintages of 68,150,915 for 1912 and 310,165,000 for 1920. Philadelphia also struck gold in both years, including the $20 double eagle; the table leaves gold out. The 1912 set has one more piece of history in it: in his PCGS commentary on the 1912 Liberty nickel, Charles Morgan notes that 1912 was the final year of regular production for that design, with the Buffalo nickel arriving in 1913. The 1912 Barber dime and half dollar fit alongside the quarter; our Barber guide gives the dates of all three series.
Denver and San Francisco struck most of these coins too, and a mint mark can change a coin's scarcity and its price considerably. If you want to extend the set to branch-mint coins, read the series guide first, because each one covers the dates and mint marks that matter in that series.
Building the set without overpaying
Three decisions make a date set easier. Pick one grade band and keep to it, so the coins look like a set when they sit together. Decide early whether you want certified coins, meaning coins graded and sealed in a holder by a service such as PCGS or NGC, raw coins, or a mix, since certification adds cost and confidence in different measures. And check what a fair price looks like before you shop: our guide to researching a coin's value before a dealer visit explains price guides, auction records and how to read each.
For a coin you cannot find on the shelf, we take want lists. Our homepage describes the service as: "Send us your want list and our team will inform you promptly after we locate any item in the list." Ask us about any fee, deposit or time limit before you send one, and whether you are obligated to buy what we find; our article on how a coin want list works goes through the questions.
Buying gold coins from Chandler and Gilbert
For buyers in Chandler and Gilbert looking for a bullion dealer or a coin shop, the first decision is which kind of coin you want, because it changes how the price is built. A bullion coin, such as an American Gold Eagle, is priced on its metal plus a premium. A numismatic coin, such as a pre-1933 gold piece, is priced on date, grade and collector demand as well. Our guide to bullion versus numismatic coins explains the difference before you spend.
Not every purchase needs the drive. Our bullion and rare US coin ranges are online, and the site's FAQ says orders ship insured with a signature required. Our snowbird guide covers shipping and Arizona sales tax in more detail. For a numismatic coin, though, seeing it in hand before you pay is worth the trip, because grade is what you are paying for.
Shows and clubs closer to home
Two events on our fall 2026 list sit on the East Valley side of the metro, which helps when you are hunting specific dates. Our list of fall 2026 coin shows and clubs in the Phoenix metro includes a Phoenix Coin Club show in Mesa and the Four Peaks Coin Club, which meets in Fountain Hills. Dates and venues for small shows change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
Selling from Chandler or Gilbert
We offer sellers a complimentary appraisal, and a separate, paid insurance appraisal if you need documentation. Arizona's dealer statute treats coins and jewelry differently: A.R.S. § 44-1601 defines "precious item" and, on its face, excludes coins from that definition, though the wording leaves room for argument and a city ordinance can add requirements. Our guide to Arizona's precious metals dealer law explains what applies to coins, jewelry and scrap at the counter.
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
Is there a Copper State store in Chandler or Gilbert?
No. Our stores are at 4550 E Bell Road in north Phoenix and at 8360 W. Thunderbird Road in Peoria. For most of the East Valley the Bell Road store is the closer one. Both are open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sunday. Call ahead if you are driving across the metro for a specific coin.
What coins were made the year Chandler and Gilbert incorporated?
Both towns incorporated in 1920. That year Philadelphia struck the Lincoln cent, Buffalo nickel, Mercury dime, Standing Liberty quarter and Walking Liberty half dollar, as well as the $20 gold double eagle. PCGS lists Philadelphia mintages of 63,093,000 Buffalo nickels and 6,372,000 Walking Liberty halves, among others. The five minor and silver coins make a hometown-year set; the double eagle is optional.
Can I buy gold coins online instead of driving in?
Yes. Our bullion and rare coin ranges are on the website, and our FAQ says orders ship insured with a signature required, with coverage void if the package is left unattended. For a numismatic coin, seeing it in hand before you pay is worth considering, because the grade drives the price.
Are there coin shows near Chandler and Gilbert?
Yes. Our fall 2026 show list includes a Phoenix Coin Club show in Mesa at the Holiday Inn & Suites, and the Four Peaks Coin Club meets monthly in Fountain Hills. Both are on the East Valley side of the metro. Small-show dates and venues change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
Making the trip from Chandler or Gilbert
Whether you are starting a 1920 set, adding gold to a collection or clearing out a drawer, either store can help, six days a week.
Copper State Coin & Bullion - Phoenix
4550 E Bell Road Suite 188
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 377-1944
Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 · Sat 9:00-16:00 · Sun closed
Copper State Coin & Bullion - Peoria
8360 W. Thunderbird Road C#103
Peoria, AZ 85381
(623) 432-3953
Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 · Sat 9:00-16:00 · Sun closed
