Alongside the coins, medals and tokens we buy and sell, B and G Coins provides professional valuation and consultancy work. Some of it is free, some of it is chargeable, and the right route depends on who you are and what you need the figure for. The sections below explain which is which.
Valuations for private individuals
If you have inherited a collection, found something in a drawer, or simply want to know what a coin is, our free online valuation service will identify it and give you an indication of value. Send photographs of both sides and we will tell you what you have. There is no charge and no obligation, and for a quick identification alone you can also use our own Coin Finder tool.
We will also sell on your behalf. Coins taken on consignment are listed through this website for a small percentage fee, agreed with you in advance and payable only on a successful sale.
Probate and estate valuations
Where an estate includes coins, medals or banknotes, HMRC requires a valuation at open market value as at the date of death. We act for solicitors, executors and administrators, and provide a full insurance and indemnity backed written report with each item individually listed and described.
This is a chargeable service. Charges commence at £150 or 5% of the valuation total, whichever is the greater, depending on the size of the estate and the time needed to prepare the report. We confirm the fee before any work begins. More on probate valuations.
Insurance valuations
An insurance valuation states what a collection would cost to replace, which for scarce material is usually higher than its open market value. The two are often confused, and a collection valued for probate and then passed straight to an insurer is frequently under-insured as a result.
We provide fully indemnified, insurance industry accepted valuations for single items and for larger collections, and can act as nominated claims assessor. Chargeable, with the fee agreed first. More on insurance valuations.
Auctioneers and the trade
B and G Coins are the official UK agents for coins and medals to Lockdales Auctioneers, and provide identification, free verbal valuation, auction advice and consignment handling. We also work with pawnbrokers, antique dealers and others in the trade, charged on a daily, contractual or per-item basis.
Numismatic consultancy
Longer engagements for museums, insurers, the antiques trade and private clients are handled as numismatic consultancy. Cataloguing, attribution, authentication and written opinion, carried out in person or remotely.
Charities
All charity work is provided free of charge by agreement, following an initial assessment.
About the valuer
Valuations are carried out by Dr Nicholas P George FRNS, a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society, the BBC’s ‘Coin Guy’, and consultant to auctioneers and museums. He has dealt in coins, medals and tokens since 1977 and holds professional indemnity insurance.
To instruct us
Telephone 01406 408123 or 07950 287349, or email [email protected]. Tell us roughly what you have and what the valuation is for, and we will tell you which service fits and what it will cost.