# Coins and currency > Commemoratives, bullion and paper money. Small, valuable and judged under a loupe, so protection and photos matter most. Coin buyers zoom in on every mark. Keep each coin in a capsule from the moment you buy it, and photograph both sides in even light. Coins are light and small, so most orders go in a padded mailer by USPS Ground Advantage. Weigh to the tenth of an ounce: bullion lots get heavy fast. ## How to pack it - Put the coin in a capsule and tape the capsule to a small card, so it can’t slide around. - Slide the card into a padded mailer, or a small box for sets. - Ship anything you would hate to lose with tracking, and add insurance above the included cover. Avoid: Loose coins in envelopes. They work their way out through the corners. - **[Coin capsules, assorted sizes, 100 pack](https://sellersetups.com/us/product/coin-capsules)** ($8 to $15): A fingerprint on a coin's surface can knock its value. Capsules show both faces on your stream and protect the coin in the mail. - **[Kraft bubble mailers, #0, 100 pack](https://sellersetups.com/us/product/padded-envelopes)** ($16 to $28): Enough padding for a lipstick, a small figure or a sealed booster pack, with no box to fold. - **[4 × 6 in thermal labels, 500 fanfold](https://sellersetups.com/us/product/thermal-labels-fanfold)** ($8 to $16): Fanfold stacks feed flat behind the printer and hold more labels than a roll. 4 × 6 in matches the label size USPS, UPS and the marketplaces print. ## Shipping per order - eBay Standard Envelope: $0.82 to $1.40. Tracked letter for eBay cards and flat items selling under $20, up to 3 oz. - USPS Ground Advantage, under 1 lb: $6.93 to $8.95. Clothing, cards in a mailer and other small items under 1 lb. Tracked, with $100 insurance included. - USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box: $12.10 to $14.65. Ships small, dense items like coins or boxed rings at one price to any state. ## The kit for a coin seller Coin capsules in a range of sizes come first, then small padded mailers and a pocket scale that reads to a tenth of a gram. A loupe lets you check marks and condition before you list. Cotton gloves stop fingerprints on proof finishes. Add a light tent or two soft panel lights for photos. Coins reflect everything, and diffused light stops the glare that hides detail. ## Packing coins so they arrive safe Put the coin in a capsule, then tape the capsule to a small square of cardboard so it can't slide around. Slide the card into a padded mailer and seal it well. A loose coin can work its way out through a corner. For several coins, tape each capsule to the same card in a row. Heavier bullion lots go in a small box with padding. ## Storing stock you can find Store capsuled coins in a coin tray or a labeled box, sorted by country and then date. Give each coin a stock number and write it on a small label on the capsule edge. Keep the stock list on your phone so you can check it during a show. Keep coins dry and away from PVC flips, which can damage the surface over time. ## Photos and listings Photograph both sides of every coin, straight on, in diffused light. Add an angled shot to show luster and a close-up of any mark or scratch. Buyers zoom in, so put your effort into a sharp photo before any styling. Put the country, denomination, year, mint mark and any variety in the title. If you mention a grade, say who graded it, such as PCGS or NGC, or describe the condition in plain words. ## Selling coins live Whatnot runs coin and bullion shows, and buyers like seeing coins turned in the light. Use an overhead phone arm and keep each coin in its capsule on camera. Line up lots in order before the show. Pack each sold coin straight after the show, capsule to card, and check it off the show order list. ## Shipping and growing past 50 orders Most single coins weigh well under 1 lb and go by USPS Ground Advantage in a padded mailer. For valuable coins, add insurance or use Registered Mail, and check the coverage limit against the coin's value. Past 50 orders, buy capsules in bulk in your common sizes and pre-cut cardboard squares. A stock spreadsheet with location codes keeps you quick on busy days. ## Common mistakes - Handling proof coins with bare fingers leaves marks that cut the value, so wear cotton gloves. - Sending a coin loose in a mailer lets it slip out of a corner, so tape the capsule to cardboard first. - Shooting coins under a bare bulb creates glare that hides detail, so diffuse your light. - Using the wrong capsule size lets coins rattle and scuff, so measure the diameter before you capsule. - Shipping a valuable coin without enough insurance leaves you out of pocket if it's lost, so match the coverage to the coin's value. ## Setups - [Coin and jewelry selling desk](https://sellersetups.com/us/setups/coins-jewellery-desk): A precision scale, capsules, a light box for close-ups and a careful shipping routine, for selling coins and small jewelry from one desk. ## Guides - [How to ship jewelry safely in the US](https://sellersetups.com/us/guides/post-jewellery-safely): Pick the USPS service and coverage that fits a ring or a gold coin, pack it so nothing rattles, and keep the proof you need if a claim comes. ## Questions ### How should I ship coins by USPS? Ground Advantage includes tracking and some insurance. For valuable coins, buy extra insurance or use Registered Mail, and check the coverage limit against the coin's value. ### Do capsules matter for cheap coins? For anything sold on its own, yes. Fingerprints and scratches cost more than the capsule. ### Should I clean coins before selling? No. Cleaning almost always lowers a coin's value, and collectors can spot it. Sell coins as found. ### Do I need to report bullion sales? Gains on coins and bullion are usually taxable, and the IRS treats them as collectibles. Check irs.gov or ask a tax professional if you sell regularly. ### How do I photograph shiny coins? Use diffused light from the side, a dark background and shoot straight on. Tilt the coin slightly for a second shot to show luster. ### Where do coins sell best online? eBay has the largest coin buyer base, and Whatnot runs busy coin and bullion shows. Mercari works for mid-value sets and rolls.