In Washington State, the sales tax treatment of coins and currency depends on what you are selling:
Current rule (2026)
- Collectible coins, paper currency, and numismatic items: Generally subject to Washington retail sales tax if they are sold as collectibles rather than as money.
- Precious metal bullion and monetized bullion (gold, silver, platinum, etc.): Beginning January 1, 2026, Washington began treating these sales as taxable retail sales after the prior exemption ended.
- The actual sales tax rate depends on the buyer's location (state + local tax), typically around 7%–10%+ in many areas.
