Sales Tax on Coins & Precious Metals by State
Heading to a coin show or buying bullion online? Whether you pay sales tax on gold, silver, and coins depends on your state. Most states exempt precious metals, but some still tax them — and a few have minimum purchase thresholds.
Use the search below to find your state’s tax rules, or browse the full list.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and coins are exempt from state sales tax. Local taxes may still apply.
No state sales tax. Some local jurisdictions charge sales tax — check your borough or city.
Precious metals bullion and coins are fully exempt from state transaction privilege (sales) tax.
Gold, silver, and other precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $2,000. Sales under $2,000 are taxed at the full state + local rate.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state sales tax. Local jurisdictions may differ.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $1,000. Sales under $1,000 are taxed.
No state sales tax. All purchases, including coins and bullion, are tax-free.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $500. Sales of $500 or less are taxed at the full rate.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and coins are fully exempt from state and local sales tax.
Hawaii's general excise tax applies to precious metals and coin sales. No exemption.
Precious metals bullion (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) in bar or coin form is exempt. Numismatic items sold for collectible value may be taxed.
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax.
Gold, silver, and other precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Kentucky applies the full 6% sales tax to precious metals and coin purchases. No exemption currently exists.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state sales tax. Local taxes may still apply.
Maine applies the full 5.5% sales tax to precious metals and coin purchases. No exemption currently exists.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $1,000. Sales of $1,000 or less are taxed.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Gold, silver, and other precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax.
No state sales tax. All purchases, including coins and bullion, are tax-free.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
No state sales tax. All purchases, including coins and bullion, are tax-free.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax. Numismatic items may be taxed.
New Mexico's gross receipts tax applies to precious metals and coin sales. No exemption.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $1,000. Sales of $1,000 or less are taxed at the full state + local rate.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
No state sales tax. All purchases, including coins and bullion, are tax-free.
Exempt when total sale exceeds $50. Very low threshold — most purchases qualify.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are fully exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax. Utah also eliminates state capital gains tax on precious metals.
Vermont applies the full 6% sales tax to precious metals and coin purchases. No exemption currently exists.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Precious metals bullion and coins are exempt from state and local sales tax. Wyoming also recognizes gold and silver as legal tender.
DC applies the full 6% sales tax to precious metals and coin purchases. No exemption.
Key Takeaways
- 42 states currently exempt precious metals bullion and coins from sales tax (fully or with a threshold)
- 5 states have no sales tax at all (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon)
- 5 states + DC still tax precious metals with no exemption (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, DC)
- 5 states exempt purchases above a threshold (California $2,000, Connecticut $1,000, Florida $500, Massachusetts $1,000, New York $1,000, South Carolina $50)
Tips for Coin Show Buyers
- Know before you go — check your state’s rules above before buying at a coin show
- Threshold bundling — in threshold states, combine purchases into one transaction to exceed the minimum
- Keep receipts — some states require documentation for the exemption, especially for large purchases
- Online purchases — buying from an out-of-state dealer may trigger “use tax” in your home state
- Numismatic vs. bullion — some states treat collector coins differently than bullion sold for metal value
Find a Show Near You
Know your state’s tax situation? Now find a coin show: Browse all coin shows or check what’s happening this weekend.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax laws change frequently — always verify with your state tax authority or a qualified tax professional. Last updated April 2026.