Striking Gold

A modest coin collection can become a great investment over time

- Amy Noton

Offering a fascinating window into the past, coin collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, with rare and valuable coins often selling for hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

‘The coin market has always been buoyant,’ says Don Collins, coin valuer at Hansons Auctioneers. ‘Much like fine art, rare coins are very popular with investors and that is what keeps prices high. I’ve been involved in numismatics since the 1960s and can remember when a sovereign was valued at £3; they’re now worth around £230.’

For collectors, there is nothing more exciting than holding a piece of history in your hand. But how do you determine the value of a historic coin? The first step is to accurately identify it, says Don. ‘Closely examine the coin for legends, including its country of origin, date, mintmark and denomination, then do some research. The most sought-after coins include those that circulated for only a brief time or had a low mintage but condition has one of the biggest impacts on value.’