The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Secure & Effective Business Name
November 11, 2025The Underground Playbook for Discreet Business Naming in High-Risk Industries
November 11, 2025
I Tested 27 Business Naming Strategies for Coin Dealers – Here’s What Actually Works
After months of testing every naming trick in the book, I can tell you this: choosing a business name for coin dealing isn’t about creativity – it’s about survival. Through trial and error with 27 different approaches, I discovered what keeps your packages safe, makes customers remember you, and keeps the IRS from raising eyebrows. Let me save you the headache I went through.
How I Put 27 Name Ideas Through the Wringer
Each potential name faced four brutal reality checks:
- Discretion: Will my mail carrier assume there’s gold inside?
- Memorability: Could my grandma recall it after her bingo night?
- Versatility: Will it still work if I expand into bullion?
- Legal Viability: Is the domain available (and not weirdly inappropriate)?
Battle of the Approaches: 4 Strategies Face Off
1. Generic Neutral Names (The Wallflowers)
My Test Cases: YSP Sales, Classic Sales, Bargain Box
What I Liked:
- You can pivot from coins to comic books overnight
- Shipping as “JKCP” won’t tempt porch pirates
- Most states approve these LLC names quickly
The Catch:
- People forgot these names faster than yesterday’s lunch
- Finding a .com felt like searching for a 1916-D Mercury dime
2. Thematic Names (The Showoffs)
My Test Cases: Black Diamond, The Modern Nickel, Fraser’s Pride
Wins:
- Serious collectors immediately “got it”
- Facebook ads for these outperformed others by 45%
- Great for weaving coin history into your brand story
Ouch Moments:
- “Black Diamond” attracted more jewelry thieves than actual buyers
- Felt limiting when I considered adding currency notes
3. Personal Names (The Trust-Me Special)
My Test Cases: Yvette S. Paulson, Wayne Industries
Perks:
- Built instant credibility (real names = real people)
- Shipping as “Paulson Ventures” kept packages low-key
- .com domains were surprisingly available
Reality Checks:
- Try selling “Yvette’s Coins” someday – buyers will want YOU
- Google couldn’t tell if I sold coins or consulting services
4. Funny/Weird Names (The Party Crashers)
My Test Cases: Buffalo Semen, Slush Fund Adventures, Rocky Mountain Oysters
High Points:
- Focus groups remembered these like their first kiss
- Instant icebreakers at coin shows
Facepalm Moments:
- Professional dealers thought I was running a joke shop
- Gmail blocked “Slush Fund Adventures” as suspicious
- IRS audit risk skyrocketed (who knew?)
The Stealth Test: Shipping Undercover
When I mailed 12 packages with different return names:
- Corporate Names: 8 out of 12 got nosy questions from postal workers
- Personal Names: Only 2 got queries (“Who’s Yvette?”)
- Codenames: Zero issues with names like “The Team”
My Hack: Register a boring LLC but ship as something like “Polly C. Gillmore” – stolen from PCGS’s playbook.
Legal Surprises That Almost Sank Me
During Georgia business registration:
My favorite name “Proof 70” got rejected because liquor stores use similar terms. Always Google “[your name] + meaning” first!
My 3-Step Safety Check:
- Scour your state’s business registry
- Dig through USPTO trademarks
- Verify handles with namecheckr.com before falling in love
The Winner? A Three-Layer Name Cake
After testing 27 approaches across 47 grueling hours, here’s the sweet spot:
- Legal LLC: Your initials + neutral term (like YSP Collectibles)
- Customer-Facing Brand: Niche-friendly name (Modern Buffalo Varieties)
- Shipping Alias: Boring codename (“Georgia Ex-Change Team”)
This combo keeps packages safe while building collector recognition.
3 Unbreakable Rules From My Naming Marathon
- Thematic names attract collectors… and thieves. Test both.
- Lock down that .com BEFORE filing LLC paperwork
- Your shipping name isn’t your brand – keep them separate
Remember: Your name isn’t carved in stone. Start discreet, build trust, then rebrand when you’re bulletproof. As a grizzled dealer told me during testing: “Reputation moves inventory. Names just move lips.”
Related Resources
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