Collectible coins (numismatic) → United States

Collectible coins are generally allowed; gold coins and bullion combined with currency over $10,000 must be declared to CBP, and ancient coins may be subject to cultural property restrictions.

Details

CBP permits collectible coins for personal use without specific quantity limits. However, monetary instruments (including gold coins used as currency) exceeding $10,000 in aggregate value must be declared on FinCEN Form 105 (FBAR) under 31 USC 5316 (Bank Secrecy Act). CBP also enforces bilateral cultural property agreements under 19 USC 2606 — ancient coins from countries with MOUs (including Italy, Greece, Turkey) may be subject to import restrictions if they lack documentation of legal export. Gold bullion coins (American Eagle, Krugerrand, etc.) are duty-free but count toward the $10,000 declaration threshold.

Quantity limit

No specific limit; monetary declaration required over $10,000

Documentation required

• FinCEN Form 105 (if gold/monetary instruments exceed $10,000)
• Provenance documentation for ancient coins from MOU countries

Legal reference

31 USC 5316 (Bank Secrecy Act); 19 USC 2606 (Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act); CBP Import Requirements

Practical advice

Declare any combination of cash, gold coins, and monetary instruments over $10,000 to CBP on arrival. For ancient coins, keep all purchase receipts and any export documentation from the country of origin to avoid seizure.

Customs authority

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) · https://www.cbp.gov