Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in West Virginia
West Virginia exempts investment metal bullion and investment coins from sales and use tax under W. Va. Code 11-15-9r. Learn what qualifies and what does not.
Does West Virginia charge sales tax on gold and silver?
No. West Virginia exempts investment metal bullion and investment coins from sales and use tax. The exemption has been in effect since July 1, 2019, when SB 502 was enacted and the Tax Department issued Administrative Notice 2019-20.
What qualifies as investment metal bullion
Investment metal bullion is smelted or refined elementary precious metal, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium, whose value depends on its content rather than its form. Fabricated metal for industrial, professional, aesthetic or artistic uses is excluded. There is no purity percentage requirement and no minimum purchase amount.
What qualifies as investment coins
Investment coins are numismatic coins or other money or legal tender made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium or another metal, issued by the United States or any foreign nation, and worth more than their face value. Jewelry or art made of coins, and commemorative medallions, are excluded.
What the exemption does not cover
The statute does not extend the exemption to jewelry or art made of coins, or to commemorative medallions. It also excludes fabricated metal for industrial, professional, aesthetic or artistic uses. West Virginia’s rule sets no purity percentage and no minimum purchase amount, so a qualifying item is exempt regardless of how small the transaction is.
Local sales taxes in West Virginia
West Virginia’s exemption applies to the sales and use taxes imposed by the state code. The official materials do not address local taxes separately.
West Virginia gold and silver tax treatment at a glance
| Item | Sales tax in West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Investment metal bullion (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) | Exempt |
| Investment coins (U.S. or foreign, worth more than face value) | Exempt |
| Jewelry or art made of coins | Excluded from the exemption |
| Commemorative medallions | Excluded from the exemption |
| Fabricated metal for industrial, professional, aesthetic or artistic uses | Excluded from the exemption |
| Purity percentage requirement | None |
| Minimum purchase amount | None |
Official sources
The exemption is set out in W. Va. Code 11-15-9r. The Tax Department’s guidance is in Administrative Notice 2019-20, and the enacting legislation is SB 502.
This rule was checked in October 2026 and can change with new legislation. Confirm the current treatment with the state before a large purchase. For how precious metals are taxed at the federal level, see the general page on sales tax on gold.
What buyers commonly get wrong about West Virginia’s rule
A common mistake is assuming the exemption covers anything made of precious metal. It does not. Jewelry or art made of coins and commemorative medallions are excluded, and fabricated metal for industrial, professional, aesthetic or artistic uses is excluded as well. Only investment metal bullion and investment coins as defined in the statute qualify.
Another frequent error is looking for a purity threshold or a minimum purchase amount. West Virginia’s rule contains neither. A qualifying coin or bullion item is exempt regardless of fineness or transaction size.
Buyers also sometimes assume the exemption turns on whether a coin is old or collectible. The statutory test is different: the coin must be numismatic or other money or legal tender made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium or another metal, issued by the United States or a foreign nation, and worth more than its face value.
Finally, the exemption has been in place only since July 1, 2019. Transactions before that date were governed by the law then in effect.
Because the rule can change with new legislation, and because the definition of investment metal bullion and investment coins turns on specific statutory language, readers should consult a tax professional or their own preparer about their own situation.
Common questions
Is gold bullion exempt from sales tax in West Virginia?
Yes. Investment metal bullion, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium, is exempt from West Virginia sales and use tax under W. Va. Code 11-15-9r.
Does West Virginia charge sales tax on investment coins?
No. Investment coins, meaning numismatic coins or other money or legal tender made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium or another metal, issued by the United States or a foreign nation, and worth more than face value, are exempt.
Is there a minimum purchase amount for the West Virginia bullion exemption?
No. West Virginia's rule sets no minimum purchase amount and no purity percentage requirement.
When did the West Virginia precious metals sales tax exemption take effect?
The exemption took effect July 1, 2019, under SB 502, with guidance issued in WV Tax Administrative Notice 2019-20.
Read next
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Delaware Delaware imposes no state or local sales tax, so buying gold and silver bullion or coins carries no sales tax. A gross receipts tax applies to sellers.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Massachusetts Massachusetts exempts gold and silver bullion, coins and rare numismatic coins from sales tax when the sale totals $1,000 or more. Smaller sales are taxable.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Mississippi Mississippi exempts coins, currency and bullion from sales tax under SB 2862, effective July 1, 2023. No dollar threshold or purity test applies.
- Capital Gains Tax on Gold: Long-Term vs Short-Term Learn how gold gains are taxed: short-term as ordinary income, long-term as collectibles, with rates, holding period rules, and key distinctions.
- Selling Inherited Gold: Tax Rules and Basis Learn how inherited gold is taxed when sold, including basis rules, holding periods, and reporting requirements. Understand the rules before you sell.