Hyatt Coins sits on Wilkinson Blvd in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it has been buying and selling coins since 1959. That’s a long run for any local retailer, let alone one built around a niche as specific as rare coins, bullion, and paper currency.
This review looks at what the shop actually offers, how its buying and selling process works, what customers say about it, and where it might not be the right fit.
Key Takeaways
- Hyatt Coins has operated in Charlotte since 1959 and sells gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rare coins, and paper money both in-store and online.
- North Carolina does not charge sales tax on coins, currency, or precious metals, which applies to purchases made through Hyatt Coins.
- The shop holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and generally scores well on Google and Yelp, though a handful of reviewers have raised concerns about appraisal offers.
What Hyatt Coins Actually Sells
The inventory splits into three main buckets: precious metals, numismatic coins, and paper money. On the bullion side, you can buy gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in coin, bar, or round form.
Popular items include American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, South African Krugerrands, and generic silver rounds. Bar sizes range from small fractional pieces up to 100-ounce silver bars from refiners like Engelhard and Asahi.
The numismatic side is where the shop’s age shows. Charlotte actually had its own U.S. Mint branch in the 1800s that struck gold coins, and Hyatt Coins leans into that local history by carrying Charlotte Mint pieces when they’re in stock.
Beyond that, the numismatic catalog covers half-cents through dollar coins, commemoratives, colonial and territorial issues, pattern coins, world coins, and bulk common-date lots for people who just want to build a collection without chasing rarities.
There’s also a paper money department, home safes for storage, and a “Coins for Kids” line with starter kits, coin pouches, and collector’s books aimed at new hobbyists. It’s a small touch, but it signals the shop is trying to build long-term customers rather than just moving product.
Buying Process
Ordering online works the way most e-commerce bullion sites work. You browse by metal or coin type, add items to a cart, and check out. Pricing on precious metals is tied to spot price, so the “as low as” figures shift throughout the trading day.
One detail worth flagging for North Carolina residents: coins, currency, and precious metals purchased in the state are exempt from sales tax, and that exemption applies at Hyatt Coins whether you buy online or walk into the store.
Selling to Hyatt Coins
If you’re selling instead of buying, the process runs through three steps.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Bring your items | Walk in during business hours, no appointment required, though you can call ahead |
| Research and appraisal | Staff inspect the coins or currency for mint marks, condition, and premiums that affect value |
| Offer and payment | You receive a cash offer on the spot, with staff available to answer questions before you decide |
This applies to gold, silver, jewelry, currency, and other collectibles, and the shop also handles estate and inheritance situations where someone has inherited a coin collection and has no idea what it’s worth.
Store Details and Hours
Hyatt Coins operates out of 3332 Wilkinson Blvd in Charlotte. Store hours run Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the shop is closed on Sundays.
The business is family-run and now in its third generation, with Larry Hyatt and Mitch Hyatt both active in day-to-day operations according to customer reviews and business listings.
Worth noting: the same location also operates as a gun shop under the Hyatt Coin & Gun name. If you’re only interested in coins and bullion, that’s a separate department, but it does mean the building serves a broader customer base than a typical numismatic shop.
Reputation and Reviews
Here’s where things get a little more interesting, because the picture isn’t uniformly glowing.
Hyatt Coin & Gun carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is BBB accredited. On Birdeye, the shop shows a 4.5-star rating across more than 600 reviews. The Chamber of Commerce directory lists a 4.4-star average from 77 reviewers.
Most of the feedback centers on the same themes: knowledgeable staff, fair pricing, and a low-pressure appraisal process. Multiple reviewers specifically name staff members like Mitch, Larry, Michael, and Evan, which suggests a level of personal attention that’s harder to find at larger chain dealers.
Not every review is positive. At least one detailed complaint on a business directory accused a staff member of undervaluing coins and paper money during an appraisal, calling the practice deceptive.
That’s a serious accusation, and it’s the kind of thing worth keeping in mind if you’re selling a large or valuable collection: get a second opinion before accepting an offer, especially on items you suspect are worth more than a quick glance would suggest. This is standard advice for any coin shop, not just this one, but it applies here too.
Pricing Transparency
Hyatt Coins doesn’t publish a fixed buy-sell spread anywhere on the site, which is fairly normal in the bullion business since prices track spot metal values that move constantly.
The “as low as” pricing model on product pages means the final price depends on payment method (cash, check, or card usually carry different rates) and is confirmed at checkout. If you want an exact number before committing, calling the shop directly at the number listed on their site is the more reliable route than trying to lock in a price from a product page days in advance.
Who This Shop Fits Best
Hyatt Coins makes the most sense for a few types of buyers and sellers.
- Charlotte-area residents who want to inspect coins in person before buying, rather than ordering sight unseen from a national online-only dealer.
- People who inherited a coin or currency collection and need an appraisal from someone who can explain what they’re looking at, not just quote a number.
- Collectors interested in Charlotte Mint coins specifically, since a shop rooted in the same city has more reason to stock local mint history than a dealer elsewhere.
- New collectors or parents looking for beginner-friendly kits rather than jumping straight into rare coin territory.
It’s probably less of a fit for someone who wants the rock-bottom online spot price with zero interest in local service, since national bullion-only retailers sometimes shave a few dollars off per ounce compared to a full-service local shop that also carries overhead for appraisals, showroom space, and staff expertise.
A Few Practical Tips
If you’re planning to sell, bring any paperwork you have on the coins, even if it’s old or incomplete. It helps staff move faster through the appraisal step.
If you’re buying bullion as an investment rather than a collectible, ask specifically about the premium over spot, since that’s the number that actually determines whether you’re getting a competitive deal compared to other dealers.
And if an appraisal offer feels low relative to what you researched beforehand, it’s fine to ask for an explanation or walk away and get a second opinion elsewhere. A shop with 60-plus years in business and a BBB accreditation should be able to explain its numbers without pushback.
Conclusion
Hyatt Coins is a long-standing, BBB-accredited coin and bullion dealer in Charlotte with a broad inventory and generally strong reviews, though a serious complaint about appraisal practices means sellers should get a second opinion on high-value collections before accepting an offer.
