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Bellevue Rare Coins is a massively popular coin collector's shop located in Seattle, Washington.
Founded in 1979, the store has grown to become one of the premier rare coin dealers in the Pacific Northwest.
Keep reading and we'll tell you everything you need to know to decide if you want to do business with this precious metals company.
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What is Bellevue Rare Coins?
Bellevue Rare Coins is a family-owned and operated business offering coins from all over the world to collectors and investors alike.
The shop has an expansive selection of rare coins, numismatic supplies, and accessories and provides a variety of services such as grading and appraisals.
Customers can find an impressive selection of collectible coins, from 1/2-cent pieces to ancient issues, along with many other fascinating items.
The Better Business Bureau accredited Bellevue Rare Coins with an A+ rating, and customers have praised the shop's knowledgeable staff, top-notch customer service, and wide selection.
Bellevue Rare Coins has been featured in several prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Coin World, and Numismatic News.
About the Bellevue Rare Coins Founders
With overwhelming magnetism toward numismatics, an ambitious young man from Seattle, Washington, Pat Hoolahan, decided to create a small company that would let him explore his passion.
After years of study and learning from other collectors and dealers, he opened his own shop, West Seattle Coins, in 1979, offering the public an opportunity to buy rare coins and numismatic supplies.
After a few years of running the business, Pat and his wife had a son, Eric Hoolahna, who also grew up with the same passion and love for precious items as his father.
At the young age of 13, Eric was already helping with the store, taking plane rides and road trips with his father to trade gold, rare coins, and other precious metals.
As Eric progressed into adulthood, he decided to take a completely different path from what his father did - real estate. Unfortunately, he failed miserably, and his father had to coax him and his younger brother, Ryan, back into the numismatic industry.
For two years, the three men worked and traveled together for two years, trading, learning more about business, and making irreplaceable connections around the country.
During this time, Pat instilled the fundamentals of running a family business into the brothers, and his teachings have been instrumental in their overall success.
Again, Eric decided to go out on his own, staying behind in Florida while Pat and Ryan went back to Seattle to continue running the family business.
However, after about ten years, Ryan was able to convince his older brother to come back home to expand the West Seattle Coins to Bellevue Rare Coins, adding jewelry to their portfolio.
With four locations in the Seattle-Bellevue area, the brothers decided to bring on board their younger siblings, Daniel and Angela, to help with the family business.
Together, the entire Hoolahan family has been able to create a successful rare coin shop and jewelry store that offers top-notch services to customers across Washington State and the world.
Bellevue Rare Coin Products and Services
Customers can find a wide selection of rare coins from across the world, including ancient coins, domestic coins, foreign coins, bullion coins, and paper money.
The store also carries a variety of numismatic supplies like albums and holders as well as cleaning supplies. The shop also offers expert appraisal services for both gold and silver jewelry items, such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches.
Customers can also take advantage of their consignment program to quickly and effectively sell their coins online.
Moreover, suppose someone has precious stones, gold, silver, jewelry, diamonds, collectibles, or any other valuable that they want to sell but can't find a buyer. In that case, Bellevue Rare Coins can purchase from them.
The shop also offers top-dollar payouts on the same day in cash, check, wire transfer, or cashier's check.
How the Selling Process Works
If a client has any valuables they want to sell, they can stop by any of the four locations (Bellevue, Lynnwood, Issaquah, or Tacoma) or make an online appointment through their website. BRC staff will then assess the items and determine the appropriate value.
Bellevue Rare Coins will then offer a fair price for them on the spot. If the customer accepts the offer, BRC staff can pay them cash or check instantly and handle all paperwork as required by law.
How the Buying Process Works
If a client is looking for specific coins or precious stones, they can contact Bellevue Rare Coins to inquire about the availability. If BRC doesn't have it in stock, there's a good chance that staff will be able to get whatever the customer wants within a few days.
Valuing Precious Items
Four main factors are considered when appraising a rare coin or any other valuable item: quality, rarity, market appeal, and condition. Age doesn't play a role in the valuation process, but it may have an impact depending on the circumstances.
Quality means excellence in the design and execution of the item. A high-quality item can also inspire emotions - for example, a rare coin with a good story behind it can make a collector passionate about buying it.
There's also a matter of the artist, designer, factory, or brand that produced the item. A hand-crafted contemporary lamp will generally command a higher price than a mass-produced one.
A rare coin or jewelry piece will have high value because very few of them exist in the world. Age can contribute to rarity as older items may have been lost, destroyed, or disposed of over the years.
However, if there are several pieces of an old item, many people won't value it as much. For example, an ancient Roman oil lamp would go for roughly $100 on a good day because they exist in plenty.
Rarity also depends on other factors like special characteristics, production numbers, or even simple supply and demand dynamics. A unique item that other people cannot replicate will be generally considered rare, hence a higher price.
How desirable an item is is another important factor that determines its value. It can refer to the marketability of a coin or jewelry piece, meaning how likely it will be accepted by buyers.
For example, if you want to sell an old rare coin, but there are no active collectors interested in buying it, then its market appeal is low, and its value will also be lower than expected.
In addition, the relevance and usefulness of an item can shift depending on the current market or lifestyle trends. For instance, there's been a diminished demand for antique pocket watches due to the introduction of reliable digital options.
Finally, the condition of an item also matters a great deal when determining its value. A rare coin may have low market appeal if it's in poor condition. However, an excellent, careful restoration may enhance the value, but not necessarily to its original price.
On the same note, clients should note that there are some circumstances where restoration may reduce the value of an item. For example, trimming a painting or refinishing an important piece of furniture can dwindle its appeal to potential collectors.
Considerations When Investing in Numismatic Pieces and Precious Stones
First, buyers should know what kind of coin or item they want to acquire. Doing some research can help unveil a wealth of helpful information on the subject.
Furthermore, a trustworthy numismatic firm and a reliable jeweler can provide useful advice on what to buy and what's the best way to store it.
Second, customers should be patient when looking for the right piece to invest in and always look for quality instead of quantity.
It's also critical to check the authenticity of an item before buying it - this can usually be done through a reputable dealer or appraiser who specializes in numismatic pieces and precious stones.
Thirdly, it's important to have a budget in mind. Quality can be expensive, but there are lots of items out there that will fit any budget.
Finally, it's essential to consider the tax implications when investing in numismatic pieces or precious stones. This can vary depending on the state, federal, or even foreign laws, so consulting a financial advisor is always recommended.
Benefits of Working with Bellevue Rare Coins
BRC has been in operation since 1979, and in all that time, it has maintained a reputation as a reliable, professional, and knowledgeable company.
Customers can rest assured that they will be given an accurate appraisal of any coin or jewelry piece they bring in. What's more, Bellevue Rare Coins offers customers the right advice and guidance when it comes to selling their items.
They can help clients decide whether they should sell now or wait for better market conditions.
Even if someone isn't interested in selling their coins and gems, BRC employees are more than willing to answer questions about appraisals or proper care for these items.
The staff at Bellevue Rare Coins also strive to make sure that all transactions with them are secure and straightforward. They are committed to protecting their client's privacy and will provide a fair evaluation of any item to get the best possible price for it.
Even better, clients can access the BRC services without needing to book an appointment. All they have to do is to come in during their opening hours, and they can get help with appraisals, buying, selling, or trade-ins on any coins or jewelry pieces.
Besides precious metals, stones, and other numismatic pieces, BRC also deals in estate and trust services.
So, if a client needs help to dispose of an uncle's coin collection or wants to assign a special heirloom to their son, they can count on the professionals at Bellevue Rare Coins to get it sorted out.
Conclusion
Bellevue Rare Coins offers a wide range of services to those looking to buy, sell, or trade coins and jewelry pieces.
With decades of experience in the industry, they have the expertise and knowledge to help clients make informed decisions in terms of finding quality items while also getting the best value for their money.
Bellevue Rare Coins is a decent company, they are not a scam, but we think there are better options available to precious metals investors that we have researched extensively on this website.
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I started BMOGAM Viewpoints as a way to compile all my views on investing in one place. I own my home, have some real estate, and own a few stocks like most people, but what really drives my interest in investing is I have a strong love of precious metals, especially gold.
