Bullion Appraisal
Bullion and precious metals appraisal services for IRS Form 8283 filings and non-cash charitable deductions, prepared in accordance with USPAP. Legacy Donation Appraisers values gold, silver, platinum bars, and rare coin collections donated nationwide.
- USPAP-Compliant & IRS-Qualified Appraisals
- IRS Form 8283 included
- Secure a tax deduction for your non-cash charitable donations
BULLION & PRECIOUS METALS
Gold and Silver Rarely Have One Simple Price
Gold, silver, and platinum often sit in a safe deposit box or vault for years while their market value climbs well past what the owner originally paid. Donating that appreciated bullion instead of selling it lets a donor avoid the capital gains hit on the sale and claim a deduction based on the metal's fair market value on the date of the gift.
That value is not simply the spot price. IRS guidance on determining the value of donated property calls for weighing purity, weight, and the premium a specific bar, round, or coin commands over melt value, and numismatic or rare coins are valued differently than plain bullion bars. A qualified appraisal is what documents that distinction for the IRS.
This comes up most often when a donor is consolidating a metals position, closing out an inherited collection, or directing an appreciated holding toward a donor-advised fund. Our guide to IRS Form 8283 covers the filing requirements once the appraisal is in hand.
BULLION CATEGORIES
Legacy Donation Appraisers Appraises All Types of Bullion
Bullion appraisals cover physical metal in nearly any form, from investment bars to inherited coin collections. Our appraisers match the right valuation method to each category.
- Gold bars and ingots
- Silver bars and ingots
- Platinum bars and ingots
- Palladium bars and ingots
- Gold coins (Eagle, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf)
- Silver coins (Morgan, Peace, Eagle)
- Platinum coins
- Gold and silver rounds
- Junk silver (pre-1965 US coins)
- Numismatic and rare coins
- Gold and silver certificates
- Bullion ETF holdings documentation
- Scrap gold and silver
THE APPRAISAL PROCESS
Spot Price, Premiums, and a Defensible Number
- 01
Item Documentation
Share weight, purity, mint marks, and any purchase receipts or certificates of authenticity you have.
- 02
Spot Price & Premium Research
We pull the metal's spot price on the donation date and research the premium your specific bars, rounds, or coins carry over melt value.
- 03
Numismatic Review
Rare or collectible coins are cross-checked against rarity, condition, and collector demand rather than metal content alone.
- 04
USPAP-Compliant Report
We prepare a written appraisal report stating fair market value as of the donation date.
- 05
Form 8283 Part IV Completed
Our appraiser signs the Appraiser Declaration in Part IV so your donation is ready to file with Section B.
CREDENTIALED APPRAISERS
Credentialed by the ASA, ISA & AAA
Every bullion and precious metals appraisal is prepared in accordance with USPAP by appraisers holding credentials with recognized organizations.
PRECIOUS METALS QUESTIONS
Bullion Donation Appraisal Questions
Do I need a qualified appraisal to donate gold, silver, or platinum bullion?
Yes. When the fair market value of donated bullion exceeds $5,000, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal prepared in accordance with USPAP. The donor completes Section B of Form 8283, and our appraiser completes and signs Part IV, the Appraiser Declaration.
Are numismatic or rare coins valued differently than plain bullion?
Yes. Investment-grade bars and common bullion coins are valued primarily on metal content and current spot price. Numismatic and rare coins are valued using rarity, condition, mint year, and collector demand, which can put their value well above melt value.
Can I donate precious metals held in a safe deposit box or depository account?
Yes, though documentation matters more without physical access on hand. We work from account statements, holding certificates, and any prior insurance or purchase records to establish fair market value as of the donation date.
How does a price swing between donation and appraisal affect the value?
Fair market value is locked in on the date the bullion transfers to the charity, not the day the appraisal report is finished. We use the spot price and market premiums from that transfer date, even if metal prices move afterward.
How much does a bullion donation appraisal cost?
Fees are quoted as a fixed fee before any work begins, never hourly. Scope depends on how many items are involved, whether any are numismatic or rare coins, and how complete your documentation is.
How long does a bullion donation appraisal take?
Turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the holding. Smaller lots are often completed within a week; larger or highly numismatic collections can take longer. Tell us your deadline and we'll confirm up front whether we can meet it.
Request Your Bullion Appraisal
No hourly billing. You get a fixed fee up front.