⭐ Tax Coin Appraisal
Estate Tax Coin Appraisal in the Bay Area
Accurate, written coin valuations for federal estate tax filings and Form 706 reporting.
- ANA Member
- PCGS Authorized Submitter
- NGC Authorized Submitter
- 14+ Years Serving the Bay Area
Tax Coin
What an Estate Tax Coin Appraisal Is
When someone passes away and their estate includes a coin collection, that collection must be reported at fair market value for federal estate tax purposes. A written appraisal from a qualified numismatist is what establishes that value on paper and satisfies the IRS.
This is not the same as a dealer’s verbal offer or an online price guide estimate. The IRS requires documentation that identifies each coin, explains the valuation methodology, and confirms the appraiser’s credentials. Without it, the reported value can be challenged.
Who Needs
Who Needs an Estate Tax Coin Appraisal
01
Executors Filing Form 706
If the estate includes items of artistic or intrinsic value totaling more than $3,000, the executor must attach an expert appraisal to the return. That threshold is low enough to catch most estates that include coin collections. For decedents dying in 2026, Form 706 is required when the gross estate exceeds $15 million. Even for estates below that threshold, a documented appraisal protects the executor and the heirs.
02
Surviving Spouses Electing Portability
If the decedent had a surviving spouse, a portability election should almost always be evaluated, even for estates well below the taxable threshold. Without a filed return, the deceased spousal unused exclusion is forfeited permanently. An accurate coin appraisal is part of building a complete and defensible Form 706 for that filing.
03
Heirs Establishing a Tax Basis
The estate tax appraisal also sets the stepped-up cost basis for heirs under IRC Section 1014(a). This valuation supports accurate estate tax reporting and sets the stepped-up cost basis for heirs, which can significantly reduce capital gains exposure on future sales.
Waiting
What Happens Without a Proper Appraisal
Inadequate appraisals, large deductions, and discrepancies between the reported estate value and third-party data are among the most common audit triggers on Form 706. If the IRS selects a return for examination, an undocumented coin valuation becomes a liability for the executor and the estate.
Every asset on Form 706 is reported at fair market value on the date of death. For non-liquid assets like coins, a qualified appraisal is the foundation of that reporting. Getting it right the first time avoids delays, disputes, and penalties.
Report Covers
What the Appraisal Report Covers
Mountain View US and Foreign Coins provides written reports that meet IRS documentation standards. Each report covers every coin individually, including coin type, date, mint mark, grade and condition, fair market value as of the date of death based on verified market data, and the appraiser’s credentials and methodology.
The report is accepted by estate attorneys, CPAs, and the IRS. Form 706 is due nine months after the date of death. Getting the appraisal done early keeps the estate filing on schedule.
Inherited Coins
Other Appraisal Services for Inherited Coins
If you are managing an estate or inherited collection, you may also need:
Not sure which appraisal type you need?
Area's We Serve
Serving the Bay Area
Estate tax coin appraisals are available across Mountain View
In-person appointments at your home, your attorney’s office, or our Mountain View location.
Get the Appraisal Started
Estate tax filings have firm deadlines. Contact Mountain View US and Foreign Coins to get the appraisal documented and ready for your attorney or CPA.