Coin Collecting in the UK: Grading, Cleaning, Storing and Selling

Sort the coins by metal and country first: gold, British silver dated 1946 or earlier, then everything else. Gold and silver carry metal value, and rare dates and fine condition add to it. Photograph both sides of anything gold, silver or unusual and send the photos for a free valuation within one working day.

British dealers grade coins by wear, from Poor through Fair, Fine, Very Fine and Extremely Fine to Uncirculated, with Brilliant Uncirculated for coins that keep their full mint lustre. Proof is a method of striking, not a grade. Grading services such as PCGS and NGC use the American 1 to 70 Sheldon scale and seal coins in plastic slabs.

No. Cleaning, polishing or dipping a coin removes its original surface and leaves fine scratches that collectors see at once, and it lowers the value of any coin with collector interest. Polished coins are described as cleaned in every catalogue. Hold coins by the edge and send them to be seen exactly as they are.

Keep coins dry and at a steady temperature, in acid-free paper envelopes, inert plastic capsules or an album with PVC-free pockets. Soft PVC plastic gives off chemicals that leave green residue on coins over time. Hold coins by the edge, never by the faces, and keep proofs in their original capsules and cases.

A proof coin is struck specially for collectors, from polished dies on polished blanks, often more than once, so it has mirror-like fields and frosted, sharp details. Proofs are sold in capsules and cases with certificates. A proof is a way of making a coin, not a grade, and proofs mark easily if handled.

Most are worth face value. Two pound coins such as the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the 2007 coin marking 200 years since the 1807 abolition of the slave trade, the 2009 Darwin and the 2016 Shakespeare and Great Fire of London designs were struck in millions for circulation. Silver and gold proof versions are worth more.

No. The 2016 Shakespeare two pound coins came in three designs, comedies, histories and tragedies, and the tragedies coin shows a skull and a rose. All three were struck in millions for circulation, so everyday examples are worth face value. Our rarest coins page lists the official mintage of every two pound coin.

No. The 1983 coin was the first round pound, with the royal arms on the reverse, and 1984 brought the Scottish thistle design; both were made in very large numbers. Round pounds stopped being legal tender on 15 October 2017, but banks and the Post Office may still exchange them. Proof and silver versions are collected.

The 2002 five pound coin marks the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The everyday version is cupronickel, legal tender for five pounds, and very common, so it is worth face value. Silver proof and gold proof versions were also sold in cases, and those contain precious metal. Check the case and the mirror finish.

Yes, but very few exist. The United States struck its 1943 cents in zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war, and a small number were struck in bronze by mistake. Many coins sold as 1943 copper pennies are plated steel cents or altered 1948 dates. A steel cent sticks to a magnet; a genuine bronze one does not.

Almost never. The 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle was struck but not issued, because the United States withdrew gold coins from circulation that year, and almost all were melted. Only one example is legal to own privately; others are held by the US government. Any other 1933 double eagle offered for sale is seized or fake.

No. The coins in the John Wick films are props for the films' fictional currency. Replica coins sold to fans are made of base metal, usually brass or zinc alloy with gold plating, and have no gold value. Real gold coins are confirmed by weight, size and testing, since many, such as sovereigns, carry no fineness mark.

Most foreign change and euro coins are worth face value, and many older foreign coins have no exchange value at all. Some euro coins from small states, such as Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican, are collected, as are older foreign gold and silver coins. Sort out anything gold or silver and send photos of those.

Specialist coin and bullion dealers, auction houses and some antique dealers buy old coins. Gold and silver coins are the easiest to sell; base-metal collections sell best as a whole. We buy sovereigns, silver coins and collections, pay the same day by bank transfer, and offer insured postage, free collection or an appointment in Mayfair or Braintree.

Some are. British gold coins, silver coins dated 1946 or earlier, Maundy money and silver or gold proofs are always worth more than face value. Rare dates and coins in exceptional condition are sought by collectors. Most base-metal coins from 1947 onwards are worth face value. Send photos of both sides for a free valuation.

British coins dated 1966, such as the penny, sixpence and half crown, were made in very large numbers and are common; they contain no silver. In the United States, 1965 to 1967 coins carry no mint mark because mint marks were suspended in those years, so a 1966 cent without a mark is normal, not an error.

Gold coins with an angel design include the English angel, a hammered gold coin of the 15th to 17th centuries showing Saint Michael slaying a dragon, and modern bullion coins such as the Isle of Man angel. Medieval angels are collected; bullion angels follow the gold price. The same design on both sides usually means a token.