FAQ — Yellowstone Assay & Metals

Question 1

What happens at a Metals Review?

Accepted Answer

A Metals Review is a structured, in-person session in which we examine your holdings, authenticate each piece, assess melt value at current spot prices, and identify any items that may carry numismatic or collectible premium. You leave with a written summary. There is no purchase offer and no sales process attached to it.

Question 2

Do I need an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work by appointment so that each client receives our full attention. Use the contact form or reach out directly to schedule a time.

Question 3

How much does a Metals Review cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the holdings being reviewed. Contact us to discuss your situation and we will provide a clear fee before any appointment is scheduled.

Question 4

Can I ship metals to you for review?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us before shipping anything. We will discuss the appropriate method, insurance, and documentation required before any metals are sent.

Question 5

How do you test whether metals are genuine?

Accepted Answer

We use a combination of methods depending on the item: visual and physical inspection, acid testing, specific gravity measurement, magnet and conductivity screening, and XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis. The appropriate method depends on what we are testing and what level of certainty is required.

Question 6

What is XRF analysis?

Accepted Answer

XRF stands for X-ray fluorescence. It is a non-destructive testing method that uses X-rays to identify the elemental composition of a metal — telling us exactly what is present and in what proportions. It can distinguish solid gold from gold-filled, sterling silver from silver-plated, and identify alloy compositions with precision. Results are available in minutes and require no cutting, drilling, or acid.

Question 7

Can XRF test coins, bars, and jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. XRF is suitable for coins, bars, jewelry, flatware, and most industrial metals. It is the industry standard for non-destructive metals identification.

Question 8

What is the difference between solid gold and gold-filled or gold-plated?

Accepted Answer

Solid gold means the item is gold throughout — the karat marking (10K, 14K, 18K, etc.) indicates the proportion of gold in the alloy. Gold-filled means a layer of gold has been mechanically bonded to a base metal core — it contains real gold but far less than a solid piece. Gold-plated means a very thin layer of gold has been electroplated onto a base metal — it has minimal gold content and minimal melt value. XRF can distinguish all three.

Question 9

My item is marked '925' or 'sterling' — does that mean it is genuine silver?

Accepted Answer

A marking is not proof of authenticity. Many items are marked incorrectly, and some are counterfeit. Testing is the only way to confirm what an item actually is. We test marked items the same way we test unmarked ones.

Question 10

What is melt value?

Accepted Answer

Melt value is the value of the metal content in an item based on current spot prices — what the raw metal would be worth if melted down. It is calculated by multiplying the weight of pure metal in the item by the current spot price for that metal. Melt value is a floor, not a ceiling — some items carry additional value based on numismatic, collectible, or historical significance.

Question 11

Do you buy metals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Yellowstone may purchase metals directly, and we are transparent that we earn on the spread when we do. That said, our authentication and valuation findings are always independent of whether a purchase happens — the facts come first. You will never receive a different assessment because we are a potential buyer.

Question 12

Can you help me sell my metals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide liquidation guidance — explaining your options, the difference between available channels (melt buyers, coin dealers, auction houses, private sales), and what realistic net proceeds look like in each. Yellowstone may be one buyer among several you consider, and we are upfront about that. We give you the information you need to compare your options and decide for yourself.

Question 13

What is the difference between melt buyers, coin dealers, and auction houses?

Accepted Answer

Melt buyers purchase metals for their metal content — they pay close to spot price minus a margin, and are most appropriate for items with no numismatic premium. Coin dealers buy and sell coins and may pay above melt for numismatic pieces, but their offers vary widely. Auction houses can achieve strong prices for rare or collectible items but charge seller fees and take time. The right channel depends on what you have and what your priorities are.

Question 14

I inherited metals and don't know what I have. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Start with a Metals Review. Bring what you have — organized or not — and we will go through it with you. We will identify what is genuine, what has melt value, and what may have additional numismatic or collectible value. You will leave with a written summary that can be used for estate, tax, or personal planning purposes.

Question 15

Can you work with estate attorneys and executors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly work alongside estate attorneys, executors, and trustees. We provide documentation suitable for probate and estate proceedings, can coordinate with other professionals involved in the estate, and are available for on-site or in-office review.

Question 16

What about silver flatware and hollowware?

Accepted Answer

Silver flatware and hollowware are among the most commonly misidentified items in estates. Sterling silver (92.5% pure) has meaningful melt value; silver-plated items have almost none. We test flatware and hollowware using XRF and acid testing to determine whether items are sterling, coin silver, or plated — and provide a written summary of what is present.

Question 17

What about jewelry from an estate?

Accepted Answer

Estate jewelry is often a mix of genuine precious metals, gold-filled pieces, plated items, and costume jewelry. We authenticate and test each piece, identify karat and metal content, and assess melt value. Items with gemstones or significant craftsmanship may warrant additional evaluation — we will note those in our summary.

Question 18

What is the difference between bullion coins and numismatic coins?

Accepted Answer

Bullion coins are valued primarily for their metal content — their price tracks closely with the spot price of gold or silver. Common examples include American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, and Canadian Maple Leafs. Numismatic coins are valued for their rarity, condition, historical significance, or collector demand — their price may be substantially above melt value. Many coins fall somewhere in between.

Question 19

How do I know if my coins have numismatic value?

Accepted Answer

Numismatic value depends on the specific coin, its date and mint mark, its condition (grade), and current collector demand. We can identify coins that are likely to carry numismatic premium and note them in your Metals Review summary. For coins that may have significant numismatic value, we may recommend additional evaluation by a specialist.

Question 20

Are gold and silver bars worth more than coins?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Bars and coins of the same metal and weight have similar melt value. Coins from recognized mints may carry a small premium over bars due to liquidity and recognizability. Rare or collectible coins may carry substantial premium. The form of the metal matters less than its authenticity, weight, and purity.

Question 21

What does segregated storage mean?

Accepted Answer

Segregated storage means your metals are held separately — not pooled or commingled with anyone else's holdings. Your inventory is documented as yours and accessible to you or your authorized representatives. This is distinct from allocated or pooled storage arrangements common in the broader metals industry.

Question 22

Who is storage appropriate for?

Accepted Answer

Storage is appropriate for individuals with significant physical metals holdings, families managing inherited or accumulated metals, estates with metals assets pending distribution, trusts holding physical metals, and family offices with client metals under management. Contact us to discuss whether our storage arrangement is right for your situation.

Question 23

Can estate or trust representatives access stored metals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Authorized parties — including estate representatives, trustees, and advisors — can be designated in advance. Storage arrangements can be structured to accommodate estate and trust requirements, including documentation for probate and trustee access.

Question 24

Do you provide investment advice?

Accepted Answer

No. We are not financial advisors and we do not provide investment advice. We do not tell you whether to buy, hold, or sell precious metals as an investment. We provide metals facts — authentication, valuation, and information about your options — and leave the investment decisions to you and your advisors.

Question 25

Do you provide legal or tax advice?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not provide legal or tax advice. We can provide documentation that your attorney or CPA may find useful — written valuations, inventory summaries, and authentication results — but the legal and tax analysis belongs to your professional advisors.

Question 26

Do you sell metals?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not sell metals to clients. We are a metals services office — authentication, testing, valuation, estate support, liquidation guidance, and storage. We are not a dealer.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Testing & authentication

Valuation & selling

Estates & inherited metals

Coins & bullion

Storage

What we don't do

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