In Iowa, you’ll find many bullion dealers. However, few stand out as well as Capital City Coins & Bullion.
What are their unique highlights? Are they legit?
If you have such questions in your mind, this detailed review will help you find the answer:
What is Capital City Coins & Bullion?
Capital City Coins & Bullion is a coin and precious metals dealer located in Windsor Heights, Iowa, near Des Moines. They specialize in buying and selling a wide range of products, including gold, silver, platinum, and rare coins. Their services include appraisals, coin collecting, and purchasing scrap precious metals like old jewelry and flatware. The company prides itself on offering competitive prices for both buyers and sellers, with free estimates and appraisals available. They are known for transparent and fair deals.
Capital City Coins & Bullion offers several unique features that set them apart:
- Competitive Pricing: They guarantee the best prices for buying and selling gold, silver, and coins in the Des Moines area.
- Free Estimates and Appraisals: Customers can receive free appraisals on coins, jewelry, and precious metals.
- Diverse Product Range: They deal in rare coins, scrap precious metals, and even paper money.
- Local Reputation: Known as a trusted dealer in the local community with fair, transparent business practices.
Online Reviews and Ratings of Capital City Coins & Bullion
Capital City Coins & Bullion has garnered positive ratings across multiple platforms for its customer service, fair pricing, and professionalism. Here’s an overview of their ratings on various review platforms:
- Google Reviews: Capital City Coins & Bullion enjoys a 4.6/5 star rating from over 180 reviews. Customers frequently mention the knowledgeable and friendly staff, praising the company for offering fair prices and transparent transactions.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): While not accredited by the BBB, Capital City Coins & Bullion has a strong A+ rating, reflecting their commitment to resolving customer concerns effectively. However, customer reviews on BBB are limited.
- Chamber of Commerce: The company also has a 4.6/5 star rating on Chamber of Commerce, reflecting similar feedback about fair pricing, knowledgeable staff, and a smooth buying and selling process.
These positive reviews emphasize the company’s strong local reputation, making it a trusted option for buying and selling coins and precious metals.
What Products are Available at Capital City Coins & Bullion?
Capital City Coins & Bullion offers a wide range of products for collectors, investors, and precious metals enthusiasts. Here are some of the key products available:
1. Coins
- Rare Coins: They deal in rare and collectible coins, both U.S. and foreign, in various conditions (raw or slabbed). This includes gold, silver, and other collectible coins.
- Bullion Coins: They offer popular bullion coins like American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and other widely recognized gold and silver coins.
- Paper Money: The store also deals in rare and collectible U.S. paper currency.
2. Precious Metals
- Gold: In addition to coins, they offer gold bullion in various forms like bars and coins, available for investment or collection purposes.
- Silver: Silver bullion coins and bars are also available, which can be sold or purchased for investment.
- Platinum and Other Metals: While their main offerings are gold and silver, they may also deal in platinum or palladium.
3. Jewelry and Flatware
- Old and Broken Jewelry: Capital City Coins & Bullion buys gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, including broken or unwanted items.
- Silver Flatware: They also accept and offer silver flatware for sale.
4. Appraisal Services
- They provide free appraisals on coins, precious metals, jewelry, and collections.
These products and services make Capital City Coins & Bullion a key destination for precious metals investment, coin collecting, and estate appraisals.
How to Choose a Reliable Bullion Dealer:
Choosing a reliable bullion dealer is crucial for making informed and secure investments in precious metals. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a trustworthy bullion dealer:
1. Reputation and Reviews
- Research the dealer’s reputation: Look for dealers with a strong reputation in the precious metals industry. Start by checking reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google.
- Check ratings and complaints: A reputable dealer will have positive ratings and resolved complaints on websites like the BBB and Consumer Affairs. Consistent high ratings across multiple platforms signal reliability.
2. Experience and Longevity
- Years in business: Established dealers with several years of experience are more likely to be reliable. Look for companies that have been operating for a significant amount of time and have a proven track record.
- Industry presence: Check if the dealer is recognized by well-regarded industry organizations such as the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) or the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA).
3. Transparency and Pricing
- Transparent pricing: The dealer should clearly list prices for bullion products, including any premiums over spot prices, fees, and shipping costs. Avoid dealers that hide costs or provide unclear pricing structures.
- Competitive pricing: Compare pricing with other dealers to ensure you are not paying excessively high premiums on gold, silver, or other precious metals.
4. Product Selection
- Range of products: A reputable dealer will offer a broad selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, including bars and coins from reputable mints like the U.S. Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, or PAMP Suisse.
- IRA-eligible products: If you’re interested in setting up a precious metals IRA, make sure the dealer offers IRA-eligible products that meet IRS purity standards.
5. Buyback Policy
- Clear buyback policies: The dealer should offer a transparent and fair buyback policy, allowing you to sell your precious metals back to them at competitive rates. Ensure they provide clear guidelines on how buybacks work and any associated fees.
6. Customer Service
- Responsive support: The dealer should offer excellent customer service, including clear communication and responsiveness to queries. You can test this by contacting the company with questions before making a purchase.
- Educational resources: Many reputable dealers provide resources to help customers make informed decisions. Look for companies that offer articles, guides, or even webinars on investing in bullion.
7. Shipping and Delivery
- Secure and insured shipping: Ensure that the dealer offers fully insured shipping for your purchases and provides tracking details. A reliable dealer will also package precious metals securely to prevent damage or theft during transit.
- Shipping times: Check for reasonable shipping times and avoid dealers with consistently delayed deliveries.
8. Accreditation and Licenses
- Accreditations: Look for memberships in professional organizations such as ANA (American Numismatic Association) or ICTA. These organizations ensure that dealers follow ethical standards.
- Licenses: Make sure the dealer is properly licensed to sell precious metals and is compliant with federal and state regulations.
9. Physical Location
- Brick-and-mortar presence: A physical location is a good sign of credibility, especially if you prefer in-person transactions. It also provides additional trust if the company is well-established in a local community.
10. Payment Options and Security
- Payment security: Ensure the dealer offers secure payment options, including credit card, bank wire, or other secure methods. Be cautious of dealers that only accept non-traditional forms of payment, as these could indicate potential fraud.
- Payment flexibility: Look for multiple payment options that meet your needs, such as credit cards, bank transfers, or PayPal.
Choosing a reliable bullion dealer requires thorough research into the dealer’s reputation, transparency, pricing, and customer service. Focus on reviews, competitive pricing, secure shipping, and transparent buyback policies to ensure a safe and satisfactory transaction. By following these guidelines, you can minimize risks and invest confidently in precious metals.
You can find the best bullion dealers in Iowa here.
Does Capital City Coins & Bullion Offer Buyback Services?
Yes, Capital City Coins & Bullion offers buyback services. They purchase a variety of items, including gold, silver, platinum bullion, and rare coins. Customers can sell their coins, scrap metals, old or broken jewelry, and even silver flatware to the company.
They emphasize competitive pricing for the items they buy, making it an easy and hassle-free process for those looking to sell their precious metals or collections.
Are There Any Lawsuits Against Capital City Coins & Bullion?
No.
I didn’t find any lawsuits or legal proceedings against Capital City Coins & Bullion.
However, when you’re looking to deal with a bullion dealer, you can follow these tips:
1. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- The BBB is a reliable source for tracking customer complaints, legal issues, and company practices. Visit the BBB’s website and search for the company. Look for:
- Accreditation status: Check whether the company is BBB-accredited.
- Customer complaints: Read through the complaints and see how the company has responded.
- Legal issues: If there are any major legal disputes or lawsuits, they might be noted here. Tip: Look at both resolved and unresolved complaints to see if there is a pattern of negative behavior.
2. Search Public Records and Court Databases
- Many legal disputes, including lawsuits, are publicly available through court records. You can search these databases to check if the company has been involved in any legal proceedings:
- PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): This is the U.S. federal court database where you can search for federal civil and criminal cases.
- State court websites: Many states provide public access to court cases through their own online databases. Search in states where the company is headquartered or operates.
- County or local courts: For smaller or more localized lawsuits, you might need to check county court records. Tip: Start by searching the company’s name and executives for both state and federal cases. Use keywords like “lawsuit,” “litigation,” or “complaint.”
3. Check the SEC and CFTC Websites
- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) oversee financial practices in the U.S.:
- SEC EDGAR Database: This database allows you to search for a company’s filings and any actions the SEC has taken against it.
- CFTC Enforcement Database: If the company has engaged in improper trading or investment practices, the CFTC may have taken action. Tip: If the gold IRA company markets itself as an investment advisor or offers certain financial products, it may be under SEC regulation.
4. Review the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- If the gold IRA company has any brokers or financial advisors, check FINRA’s BrokerCheck to find:
- Licensing and registrations: Ensure that their financial professionals are properly licensed.
- Disciplinary actions: Any legal or regulatory actions taken against individual brokers or the company will be listed.
5. Look for Consumer Reviews and Reports
- Consumer protection websites like Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, or Ripoff Report often contain customer feedback about legal or ethical concerns. Complaints from investors could indicate:
- Overcharging or fraud: Allegations of unethical pricing or hidden fees.
- Breach of contract: Disputes over terms or services rendered.
- Investment misrepresentation: Promising returns that aren’t realistic or failing to disclose risks. Tip: Compare reviews across different platforms to see if there are consistent complaints about legal issues.
6. Search for News Articles
- Conduct a general web search for news articles that mention the company. Look for headlines involving:
- Legal actions: Articles on lawsuits or investigations.
- Regulatory issues: News on the company being fined or penalized.
- Scandals or fraud: Allegations of financial misconduct. Tip: Use the company’s name along with terms like “lawsuit,” “fraud,” “investigation,” or “settlement.”
7. Consult Regulatory Agencies
- State Attorney General’s Office: Search for any actions taken by the state attorney general against the company. Many states also list complaints filed against businesses.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC monitors deceptive business practices. Check for any relevant investigations or penalties.
8. Look for Arbitration Cases
- Gold IRA companies sometimes resolve disputes through arbitration rather than the courts. You can check:
- American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS: These organizations may provide information about cases involving arbitration settlements.
9. Hire a Legal or Financial Advisor
- If you have concerns, it may be worth consulting a legal or financial advisor to conduct a more thorough background check. They may have access to legal databases and industry-specific insights.
Capital City Coins & Bullion Review Summary:
Overall, Capital City Coins & Bullion seems like a legit gold dealer. They have significant experience in the indsutry.
With a large product catalog and plenty of online reviews, they certainly stand out in Iowa’s precious metals market.
However, they don’t offer gold IRA services.
For gold IRAs, it would be better to work with a more specialized company such as Augusta Precious Metals or Birch Gold Group.
