Coin & Medal Valuations

Coins

If you require coin and medal valuations for sale, probate or insurance purposes our specialist RICS accredited valuers are here to help.

In the world of coin collecting, the most critical factors are the condition and scarcity. We have experience selling everything from single coins to large collections, from Roman and Celtic through to modern day limited proof sets.

Coins with a small production run that had limited circulation, like a gold Five Guinea piece, can command very high prices because of their rarity. Some collectors prefer earlier hammered coins, especially British coinage, which experienced a turbulent period of history that is reflected in fascinating changes in the size, design, fineness and craftsmanship. Others prefer later milled coins which were first produced circa 1656 with the effigy of Oliver Cromwell.

If you are looking to sell we can arrange this on your behalf. We have a large database of collectors and dealers we can sell to or for rare and very specialised items we can recommend the best firm of auctioneers to handle the sale.

Many people think of auction as the most suitable route to market but it comes at a price. A seller will have to pay the vendor’s commission, which including insurance, photography, a lotting charge and VAT, generally totals up to about 20%. This is deducted from the price the lot fetches in the auction. However, there is another charge which often only appears in the small print and that is called a buyer’s premium. Most people assume this only affects the buyer but it doesn’t, it affects the price you achieve because the bidder will factor this charge into the amount they bid.

For example if a buyer’s premium is charged at 25% plus vat = 30% and the buyer only wants to pay £130 for a lot he will only bid £100 (hammer price) because with the buyer’s premium this will total up to the £130. From this £100 hammer price the 20% seller’s commission will be deducted leaving you with £80. So the auction house has earned a total of 40% plus vat = 48%. For this reason auction is a particular bad way to sell standard gold coins like sovereigns or krugerrands.

At Nicholas Muston we can broker a sale, on your behalf, directly to a bullion dealer and only take a 10% fee for handling the transaction. As we sell so much gold and silver, on behalf of clients, we are paid about 20-25% more than the price paid to members of the general public. So we can save you the trouble and our commission is easily covered.

Medals

If you require a medal valuation for sale, probate or insurance purposes our specialist RICS accredited valuers are here to help.

Collecting campaign medals offers a fascinating insight into the events that happened in that period of history. Possibly the earliest issue of a medal was the Armada Medal awarded to officers and distinguished personnel after the defeat of the Spanish in 1588. The issuing of medals after this date was often done privately and it was not until the Waterloo medal that the first official campaign medal appeared. This was issued to all ranks of the Army. Some collectors focus on specific bravery awards, regiments or battles, others prefer unusual groups or the citation accompanying the award. As with coins scarcity and condition are major contributing factors in assessing value.

Why get a valuation with us?

We were thrilled to be entrusted with the sale of a very special group of medals on behalf of one of our clients. Along with a Military Cross it included the most coveted bravery award; the Victoria Cross that the client had inherited from her late husband. This group of medals was awarded to 2^nd Lieutenant Herbert James for his conspicuous bravery during operations in Gallipoli.

We recommended that it be offered for sale in an international medal auction in London and it was sold for £180,000 to an Australian millionaire collector. It is now on display in an Australian museum.

If you are looking to sell your coins or medals, please get in touch for an expert valuation by a RICS accredited valuer.