Wonderful experience with the entire team. We received a full appraisal that was very thorough and included everything we needed as a nonprofit from an appraisal company to accept a donated vehicle and provide the appropriate documentation.
PRECIOUS METALS APPRAISAL
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 bullion and precious metals appraisals
- Qualified appraisal and Form 8283 Section B included above $5,000
- Appraiser Part IV declaration prepared for your filing
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.
IRS RULES
What the IRS Requires for Bullion Donations
Bullion Isn't a Security
The publicly traded securities exception doesn't reach bullion, so gold or silver claimed above $5,000 needs a qualified appraisal and Section B.
Qualified Appraisal Above $5,000
When the deduction is more than $5,000 for an item or group of similar items, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal by a qualified appraiser and Section B of Form 8283, which the appraiser signs in Part IV and the charity acknowledges in Part V.
Held a Year or Less
Capital assets held for 1 year or less are ordinary income property, so the deduction is generally limited to fair market value minus the short-term gain, in practice the cost basis.
Similar Items Count Together
Items of the same general category, such as coin collections, paintings, books, clothing, jewelry or nonpublicly traded stock, are added together for the $5,000 test, even when they go to more than one charity.
The 60-Day Window
The appraisal must be signed and dated no earlier than 60 days before the contribution and received before the due date, including extensions, of the return that claims the deduction.
Over $500,000, Attach It
For donations valued at more than $500,000, the qualified appraisal itself must be attached to the return.
BULLION CATEGORIES
What Counts as Donated Bullion
Bars & Ingots
Investment bars and ingots are valued primarily on metal content, weight, and the premium a specific mint or refiner commands over melt value.
Common asset types include:
- Gold bars and ingots
- Silver bars and ingots
- Platinum bars and ingots
- Palladium bars and ingots
Coins & Rounds
Common bullion coins and rounds trade close to spot price, though mint, condition, and circulating demand still move the number.
Common asset types include:
- Gold coins (Eagle, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf)
- Silver coins (Morgan, Peace, Eagle)
- Platinum coins
- Gold and silver rounds
- Junk silver (pre-1965 US coins)
Certificates & Holdings
Numismatic coins and documented holdings call for research beyond metal content, from rarity and collector demand to the records behind an unallocated position.
Common asset types include:
- Numismatic and rare coins
- Gold and silver certificates
- Bullion ETF holdings documentation
- Scrap gold and silver
DONATION ROUTES
How Bullion Donations Are Structured
Consolidating a Metals Position
Investors holding bars, rounds, or coins accumulated over years sometimes donate part of a holding instead of selling it outright, avoiding the capital gains hit on the appreciation.
Settling an Inherited Collection
Heirs who inherit bullion or a coin collection often donate some or all of it rather than liquidating through a dealer, especially when the estate already has other assets to distribute.
Directing a Gift Through a DAF
Donor-advised funds and other charitable vehicles increasingly accept bullion directly, letting a donor route an appreciated metals position toward a giving strategy rather than cash.
HOW IT WORKS
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.
Donating Gold or Silver Above $5,000?
Bullion isn't a publicly traded security, so a qualified appraisal is required above $5,000. Line it up before the transfer.
PRICING
What Determines the Cost of a Bullion Appraisal
Number of Items
More bars, rounds, or coins mean more individual pieces to research and document.
Numismatic vs. Bullion-Only
Rare or collectible coins require rarity and market research beyond melt value, which adds scope compared to plain bullion bars.
Completeness of Documentation
Purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, and prior appraisals speed the work; gaps mean more research to establish value.
Mixed Metal Types
A holding spanning gold, silver, platinum, and palladium takes more research than a single-metal position.
Physical Access to the Holding
Most bullion appraisals work from documentation and photographs; items held in a depository or safe deposit box may need additional verification.
Your Deadline
We confirm timing up front, including whether expedited service is available for your filing date.
CLIENT VOICES
What Donors and Advisors Say About Our Appraisals
We had a very unusual appraisal request for merchandise valued at over half a million dollars, and the team handled it quickly and thoroughly. We will definitely return for any future appraisal needs and highly recommend them to anyone in need of appraisal services. – TGBA, Inc., Tampa, FL
Very thorough and professional — great communication and outstanding service. Highly impressed with their work!
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.
American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
Appraisers Association of America (AAA)
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PRECIOUS METALS QUESTIONS
Bullion Donation Appraisal Questions
Do I need a qualified appraisal to donate gold, silver, or platinum bullion?
Yes. Bullion doesn't fall under the IRS exception for publicly traded securities, so when the fair market value of donated bullion exceeds $5,000, a qualified appraisal prepared in accordance with USPAP is required. The donor completes Section B of Form 8283, our appraiser signs the Appraiser Declaration in Part IV, and the donee charity acknowledges receipt in Part V.
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.
Does it matter how long I've held the bullion before donating it?
Yes. Bullion held for one year or less is ordinary income property, so the deduction is generally limited to fair market value minus the short-term gain, which in practice works out to your cost basis. Bullion held longer than a year is valued at its full fair market value on the donation date.
Do several smaller bullion gifts count toward the $5,000 appraisal threshold together?
Yes. Items in the same general category, such as a coin collection, are added together for the $5,000 test, even when portions go to more than one charity. Once the combined total exceeds $5,000, a qualified appraisal is required for the group.
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 your holding. Tell us your deadline and we'll confirm up front whether we can meet it, with expedited service available.
GET STARTED
Request Your Bullion Appraisal
No hourly billing. You get a fixed fee up front.