A guide for collectors and inheritors

Selling gold coins in St Helens, properly.

A gold coin is rarely just gold. It carries a date, a portrait, a mintmark and — sometimes — a story that adds value beyond its weight. Before we put a number to anything, we want to understand what you've actually got.

Sovereigns

The British sovereign — 7.32 grams of 22-carat gold, struck almost continuously since 1817 — remains the most-bought and most-sold gold coin in the country. A modern Elizabeth or Charles bullion sovereign trades close to its gold content. A Victorian shield, a George IV laureate or a young-head Victoria can be worth meaningfully more, depending on date and condition. Half sovereigns follow the same logic at half the weight.

Britannias

The Royal Mint's flagship bullion coin. Pre-2013 issues are 22-carat; from 2013 onward they're .9999 fine. Modern Britannias are valued chiefly on gold content and the year — proofs in original cases are a different conversation, often with a real collector premium attached.

Krugerrands, Maple Leafs, Eagles

International bullion classics. The Krugerrand — the original modern bullion coin, struck in 22-carat gold alloyed with copper for hardness — is one of the most liquid gold coins in the world. Canadian Maple Leafs and American Gold Eagles cover the .9999 and .9167 fine markets respectively. We buy single coins, tubes of ten, and fractional sizes (1/2oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz).

Proof and commemorative sets

Royal Mint proofs in their original capsules and presentation boxes — sovereign sets, Britannia sets, anniversary issues — are often worth substantially more intact than melted. Bring the box, certificate of authenticity and capsule. They matter.

Inherited a collection?

The most common reason people walk through our door with coins is bereavement. We'll never push you to sell. Many customers come in just to find out what's there, take notes, and decide later. Bring the lot — albums, loose coins, the unidentifiable bits — and we'll go through it with you. If something's worth taking to a specialist auction instead, we'll say so.

Looking at a single coin? Our short read on how much your gold is worth covers the basics, and the UK gold price guide explains why the figure shifts daily.

Common questions about selling coins

Are my coins worth more than their gold weight?

Sometimes. Common-date sovereigns and modern bullion coins (Britannia, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Eagle) trade close to their gold content. Earlier dates, proofs, low-mintage years and unusual mintmarks can carry a numismatic premium. We'll always tell you when a coin is worth more as a collectable than as bullion.

Should I clean my coins before bringing them in?

Please don't. Polishing or cleaning a gold coin can permanently reduce its value to a collector — even subtle abrasion shows under loupe. We'd far rather assess the coin in its current state.

Do you buy mixed lots — bullion and collectables together?

Yes, and we'll separate them in front of you. Bullion-grade coins are valued on weight and purity at today's spot. Anything with potential numismatic value is set aside and quoted against recent realised auction prices for comparable specimens.

What about coins that are mounted in jewellery?

Mounted sovereigns are common — pendants, rings, brooches. We can value the coin and the mount separately and, where appropriate, offer for one but not the other if you'd prefer to keep one part.