What is the Southern California Coins & Stamps?
Southern California Coins & Stamps (SoCal Coin & Stamps), located at 7635 E. Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA, is a longstanding, family-run shop specializing in both numismatic (coins) and philatelic (stamps) collectibles. Established around 1974, the store caters to both casual and serious collectors by offering a wide selection of coins, stamps, bullion, estate jewelry, currency, and collectibles.
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Offerings & Services
- Rare & collectible coins: U.S. and world issues—including pre-1955 silver coins—available at spot and in bargain bins.
- Bullion trading: Stand-alone silver and gold, often priced accurately to market.
- Stamps & philatelic supplies: Catering to both casual stamp collectors and clubs.
- Estate jewelry & vintage currency: Valued for discrepancy and collectible interest.
- Free appraisals & testing: Expert verification and evaluations at no cost.
Southern California Coins & Stamps stands out as a trusted, knowledgeable, and customer-friendly dealer for coins, stamps, bullion, and collectibles. With transparent pricing, expert guidance, and decades of community presence, it remains one of the premier local destinations for collectors in the Downey area—and Southern California at large.
Who are the People Behind Southern California Coins & Stamps?
Southern California Coins & Stamps is led by a seasoned and trusted team whose combined expertise nurtures community trust and excellence. The principal figure is Lionel Pereira, identified by Dun & Bradstreet as the owner and key decision-maker of the Downey establishment. Lionel’s deep background in numismatics and philately provides the foundation for the shop’s reliable reputation and consistent customer focus. After decades at the helm, he continues to guide with integrity and knowledge.
In addition to Lionel, the store boasts a team of professionals, frequently praised by customers by name, such as Rob and Michelle. Customers often emphasize their honesty, expertise, and helpful attitudes.
These testimonials highlight not only the team’s expertise but also their dedication to placing customer interests before profit.
The collective experience of the staff not just in selling coins and stamps but also in offering estate appraisals and bullion trading signifies over twenty years in the hobbyist and investment markets. With Lionel guiding the operations and Rob and Michelle executing daily interactions, the store balances seasoned leadership with warm, personalized service.
The people behind Southern California Coins & Stamps personify its core values: honesty, customer-first care, and knowledgeable guidance. Their deep roots in the numismatic and philatelic communities and a reputation reinforced by sincere testimonials ensure that the business remains a cherished and respected regional landmark.
Does Southern California Coins & Stamps Offer IRA Services?
Southern California Coins & Stamps does offer IRA-eligible bullion, making them a viable choice for investors interested in adding precious metals to retirement accounts. According to their MapQuest listing, the store handles “401K/IRA approved bullion,” including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, indicating they provide products compliant with IRS regulations for retirement accounts.
While the shop focuses on retail transactions, it supplies the physical bullion necessary for self-directed IRAs and may assist clients in selecting IRS-approved items. However, they do not function as IRA custodians and do not manage account rollovers, custodial oversight, or depository storage. Instead, clients must work with a third-party IRA custodian and storage facility separately.
If you’re looking to integrate precious metals into a retirement portfolio, Southern California Coins & Stamps can be a valuable bullion source, offering expert guidance and curating IRS-acceptable products.
But to establish or administer a Gold IRA, including custodial services, account setup, and secure vault storage, you’ll need to partner with an accredited IRA custodian. The store serves as a trusted supplier and advisor, but the formal IRA infrastructure must be arranged through a specialized provider.
What Products Can You Purchase at Southern California Coins & Stamps?
Southern California Coins & Stamps, located in Downey, California, offers a diverse and extensive range of collectible and investment-grade products. Whether you’re a seasoned coin collector, a casual hobbyist, or a precious metals investor, this long-standing shop provides an impressive inventory that caters to a wide audience.
At the heart of their offerings is a robust selection of rare and collectible coins, including U.S. and foreign coins from various eras. Collectors can find everything from early American coinage to modern commemorative pieces, with many items graded by PCGS or NGC to ensure authenticity and value. For budget-conscious collectors, the shop also features bulk and bargain bins of circulated coins and pre-1955 silver coins.
In addition to numismatics, the store carries a variety of precious metal bullion products, such as gold and silver bars, rounds, and coins. These include IRA-eligible bullion for those looking to invest in physical assets for long-term security. Their pricing is typically competitive and aligned with current market spot rates.
For stamp enthusiasts, Southern California Coins & Stamps offers a selection of domestic and international postage stamps, as well as philatelic supplies. Whether you’re looking to complete a collection or start a new one, the shop provides expert insight and collectible material.
The store also deals in estate jewelry, vintage paper currency, and collectible items, such as medals, tokens, and historical artifacts. Appraisal services are offered free of charge, and the staff is known for their honesty, professionalism, and no-pressure sales environment.
In summary, Southern California Coins & Stamps offers a comprehensive product lineup that includes rare coins, bullion, stamps, estate jewelry, paper money, and collectibles, making it a valuable destination for collectors and investors alike.
Southern California Coins & Stamps Fees and Pricing:
At Southern California Coins & Stamps in Downey, CA, pricing is transparent and customer-oriented, based primarily on market spot rates, with optional bargain options for various collectibles.
Spot-Market Pricing
The shop buys and sells gold and silver bullion using live spot prices, ensuring alignment with current precious-metal markets. Customers bringing in silver or gold coins—or bullion—will receive offers that closely reflect real-time market values.
Bargain-Bin Deals
Collectible coins, especially circulated pre‑1955 U.S. silver, are available in bargain bins. Typical prices include 5¢ face-value coins for about $1, and pre‑’55 silver at roughly $1 for $3 face value, offering excellent value for collectors.
No Appraisal Fees
The store provides free appraisals and testing for coins, stamps, bullion, and vintage items. Staff take their time assisting each customer, with transparent guidance such as advising customers when they can get better offers elsewhere
Buy/Sell Policies
They buy U.S. and foreign coins, stamps, estate jewelry, and paper currency at fair rates. The store’s staff are noted for their autonomy in advising customers, sometimes even turning away business if they believe customers could receive a better return elsewhere.
Southern California Coins & Stamps employs a fair and flexible pricing strategy: bullion trades are tied to real-time metal values, while collectible and circulated coin deals offer added value via bargain-bin pricing. With free, thorough appraisals and a team committed to transparency—including advising you to seek better offers when needed—the store maintains its reputation for honesty and trustworthiness in Downey’s numismatic community.
What Do Southern California Coins & Stamps Reviews Say?
#1. Jewellery buyers who are rated by gemologists in Orange County; GIA certified A graduate gemologist, a senior member of the National Association of Jewellery Appraisers, a senior member of the Accredited Gemologists Association, and an AGA Certified Gem Lab. It is possible to obtain truthful and transparent information from a “Real” Certified Expert by scheduling a free consultation appointment. This will allow you to determine the highest possible price at which your jewellery can be sold. Over the course of his career, David has completed more than 80,000 appraisals of jewellery. He has been providing jewellery appraisals for more than 40 years. There is no other jewellery buyer, diamond buyer, or jewellery appraiser in Southern California who can compete with David’s exceptionally high level of competence and reputation for the greatest level of accountability.
#2. Together with Lionel and Mark, we worked. Each of them was trustworthy and considerate. As well as being knowledgable, they were fair. In spite of the fact that we had just experienced a minor issue, they promptly requested that we come back and repair it. Without a doubt, we will come back at some point in the future!!
#3. I had a wonderful experience working with Lionel and his staff. A kind, knowledgeable, and really reasonable pricing structure. They collaborated with me to create the schedule. Everybody comes out ahead. Visit this location without hesitation; they will look after you.
Are There Any Southern California Coins & Stamps Lawsuits?
There are no publicly documented lawsuits—civil or regulatory—against Southern California Coins & Stamps. A search through local court and review records yields no evidence of legal action targeting the business for fraud, misrepresentation, or any dispute.
The store maintains a strong reputation across platforms like Yelp and Numista, with 4.4–4.5 star ratings, and customer reviews highlight its fair pricing, honesty, and professionalism qualities that tend to mitigate against disputes. Notably, Numista reviewers applaud the team’s integrity, sharing stories of how staff even recommended customers to seek better value elsewhere when appropriate.
In the wider numismatic and collectibles industry, while lawsuits involving other dealers (such as the 1994 Superior Stamp & Coin fraud case) exist, none involve this shop. Southern California Coins & Stamps has not appeared in any legal filings or dispute records.
Southern California Coins & Stamps maintains a clean legal and regulatory record, with no known lawsuits or formal complaints. Coupled with consistently positive customer feedback and transparent business practices, the shop stands out as a credible and trustworthy establishment in the Downey collectibles market.
Can You Trust Southern California Coins & Stamps? Is Southern California Coins & Stamps Legit?
Yes, Southern California Coins & Stamps is widely considered a trustworthy and legitimate business. Established in Downey, California, and operating since the 1970s, this long-standing coin and stamp dealer has built a strong reputation for honesty, transparency, and knowledgeable service.
The store is led by Lionel Pereira and supported by a reliable team, including Rob and Michelle, all of whom are frequently praised in customer reviews for their integrity and expertise. With nearly five decades of experience, the shop has become a staple in the local numismatic and philatelic community.
They offer fair, market-based pricing, free appraisals, and a no-pressure approach to buying and selling coins, stamps, bullion, estate jewelry, and currency. Many customers share stories of the staff advising them to seek better offers elsewhere when appropriate—a rare and commendable gesture that speaks to the shop’s ethical standards.
In addition, there are no public records of lawsuits or regulatory complaints against the business, further reinforcing its credibility. With consistently high ratings on platforms like Yelp and Numista, Southern California Coins & Stamps stands out as a reliable, community-focused business. Whether you’re a collector or investor, you can feel confident that you’re dealing with a legitimate and reputable establishment.
Southern California Coins & Stamps Review Summary:
Southern California Coins & Stamps, located in Downey, California, is a long-standing, family-run coin and collectibles shop that has earned a strong reputation for trust, expertise, and exceptional customer service. Operating since the 1970s, the business specializes in U.S. and foreign coins, bullion, collectible stamps, estate jewelry, and vintage paper currency. Customers consistently praise the store’s transparent pricing, fair appraisals, and knowledgeable staff—particularly Lionel, Rob, and Michelle—for offering honest guidance and taking the time to educate buyers and sellers alike.
The shop maintains high ratings across major review platforms, with Yelp and Numista users giving it an average of 4.4 to 4.5 stars. Many reviewers highlight the staff’s integrity, noting that they have even encouraged customers to seek better offers elsewhere when appropriate—a rare quality in the retail collectibles market. Southern California Coins & Stamps is also known for its free appraisals, bargain bins for budget-conscious collectors, and IRA-eligible bullion for investors.
With no public lawsuits or regulatory complaints and nearly five decades of consistent service, the business stands out as one of the most reputable coin and stamp dealers in Southern California. In summary, Southern California Coins & Stamps is a trustworthy, knowledgeable, and customer-first establishment—highly recommended for both collectors and investors.
