Collecting silver coins

Silver has become an extremely popular investment vehicle for obvious reasons. The price of silver is expected to rise heavily in the coming years. Thanks to huge industrial demand and short supplies, the price of silver is predicted to rise inevitably. Currently, the gold-silver price ratio also makes silver investments desirable. Silver is currently 85 times cheaper than gold and offers easy access to the precious metals market for investors who are starting out.

How to choose the right silver coins

Coins are preferred by investors due to their liquidity and divisibility. But which coins should one invest in? The best coins to collect will depend on your objectives. If you wish to collect for investment gains, then any coins of a limited issue which you’re able to purchase at a relatively low premium will work out best. Examples may be The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beast and Lunar series of coins. If you simply wish to collect for variety and rarity sake, then some older coins will have a great deal of history and numismatic value. Expertise is required to buy at the right price, but the upside potential can be great.

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The silver Britannia

A starting point for many investors is frequently the UK silver Britannia. It is considered to be the backbone of any good silver portfolio. The Britannia enjoys a distinct advantage when compared to other silver coins. It is a mass-produced, bullion coin with low premiums and manufacturing costs. The coin is easily available and also enjoys an extremely vibrant secondary market. Since all issues are recent, the coin does not command any numismatic premium. Therefore, in terms of value, it is a great investment.

The silver Krugerrand

The Krugerrand is well-known across the world and is a very liquid coin. Infact, it is one of the most available 1-ounce silver coins. It is an excellent choice for adding to your portfolio. In terms of both value and liquidity. Most reputed UK brokers have these coins and they are available at low premiums and bulk discounts, just like the Britannia. However, in terms of tax efficiency, one must remember that these coins are not considered to be UK legal tender and CGT could be payable on any profits made on sales.

The Royal Mint’s collectable series

The Queen’s Beast

The Royal Mint has issued certain collectable silver coins are available as the Queen’s Beast series and the Lunar series. Variety is an important consideration when building your portfolio and both these coins offer this attribute to your collection. The Queen’s beast series of coins can be purchased in different sizes. There is a 2-ounce version, and a large 10-ounce version, as well. Buying the larger coin can ensure that you avail a lower price per gram, due to reduced manufacturing costs.

The Lunar Series

The Lunar coins, produced by the Royal Mint is a set of 12 coins. Each coin features a different animal from the Chinese calendar. The coins are issued annually and enjoys great demand from collectors due to the variety it brings to the portfolio. Collectors are keen to collect every coin in the series. Therefore, it is worth purchasing for your portfolio. These coins are also in great demand in the Asian markets, and their price can rise quickly due to this.

Call the silver experts at Physical Gold to identify the best coins to buy

The investment team at Physical Gold is always ready to offer you advice on the best silver coins to add to your collection. Call us today on (020) 7060 9992 or get in touch via email. We can help you take the right silver coins in line with your investment objectives (as well as silver bars) and make your portfolio stronger.

 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Buying Britannia coins

The Britannia is considered by many to be the flagship British coin to include in their portfolio. Originally minted in gold, it was introduced in 1987 by the Royal Mint. The current editions also include a silver version since 1997. The gold coins are a great investment, as they contain one Troy ounce of gold with a face value of hundred pounds. The silver version also contains one Troy ounce of silver with a face value of 2 pounds. Since 2013, the Royal Mint has been minting the gold Britannia with 24 carat gold and purity of 999.9. The Royal Mint also sells gold Sovereign coins, which are another popular range.

The coin features an image of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the iconic Britannia image on the reverse. The coin enjoys immense liquidity and is available in a variety of editions. There are definitive tax advantages to investing in these coins. The coin is legal tender in the UK, and therefore attracts no capital gains tax. But the question is – should we be buying older or newer versions of these coins? What is likely to generate better value?

Buying older Britannia coins

The Britannia does not command a rarity value or historical premium. Most editions of the coin are easily available. Most of the time, the current year of issuance will also be the cheapest due to plentiful supply. Buying particular year Britannia’s from the past may well command a premium due to scarcity. However, you may find that the older coins can also rise in value quicker than the new ones in the context of the time you intend to hold onto the coins.

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Commemorative and special issues

The Britannia has also been released by the Royal Mint as special anniversary editions and commemorative issues. For example, the 30^th-anniversary gold edition was on sale in 2017 for £1048 .68. There was also a limited edition issued as an 8mm coin. Only 1500 of these were released, and it was the smallest Britannia coin. It contained only 1/40 parts of an ounce of 24-carat gold with a purity of 999.9, along with a proof finish.

Needless to say, these types of special issues attract a lot of interest as a collectable coin. Therefore, they command high premiums in the secondary market once supplies run out. But, investing in these special issues would require a higher capital outlay.

Buying newer coins

The current editions are a great buy if you consider their value in gold and silver. As these coins are available in plentiful, premiums are very low. It’s also a great idea to order these coins in bulk from your dealer.

Buying current years of an issue would result in a lower price commitment at the buying stage. This would mean that your profit margins could be a lot higher when you sell off your gold in the years to come.

Contact Physical Gold to buy Britannia coins

A proven and hassle-free way to acquire Britannia coins were your collection is to simply give us a call. Our precious metal experts are best placed to advise you about buying the right gold and silver coins. They can let you know when older versions of the Britannia become available at the price you want. Similarly, you can also benefit from sound advice and assistance in buying newer coins. Call us on (020) 7060 9992 or get in touch online through our website, which has a wealth of information about Britannia coins.

 

Image Credit: Eric Golub

Silver Britannia supply

The silver Britannia is an iconic British coin. The coin was released in 1997, due to the popularity of its gold counterpart. The silver Britannia offers investors and easy entry point into the world of precious metals, as the spot price of silver is currently 85 times cheaper than gold.

The coin adds divisibility and stability to any precious metal’s portfolio. Being legal tender in the UK offers investors the added advantage of acquiring the coin CGT free. We will now explore the current and historical limits on the mintage of this iconic piece of British coinage.

Early limits on mintage

In 1997, when the coin was first released into the market, the coin was available with the fineness of .958, indicating 95.8% pure silver. The coin is released in three ways; as proof, uncirculated bullion, and as part of proof sets. Mintage numbers have varied from year to year for each of these categories, but have settled on 2,500 for both proof types, and 100,000 for the bullion coins since 2008.

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The initial limit imposed on the 1-ounce proof orders in 1997 was 16,005. In the same year, the limit for proof sets was set at 11,832. By 1998, the uncirculated bullion mintage reached 88,909. The Royal Mint was responding to its increased demand as a silver bullion coin. However, in the same year, the 1-ounce proof edition of the coin was reduced to 3044. Proof sets orders were also limited to 3044, down from 11,832 in the first year of issue.

Variable mintage quantities over the next seven years

By 1999, uncirculated bullion amounts of reduced to 69,394 and proof coins were discontinued in both the 1-ounce proof and the sets categories. The next few years saw limited numbers of uncirculated bullion coins being released in the market, ranging from 81,301 in 2000 to 100,000 in 2004. During these years, extremely limited quantities of proof sets and the 1-ounce proof coins were released. The Royal Mint was releasing the coins year-on-year, according to expected demand.

Further changes to the silver Britannia

Steady streams of 100,000 uncirculated bullion coins were released from 2004 to 2009. An interesting fact to note is that in 2006, a silhouette collection of proof sets was released, which had five styles where the purity of silver was increased to 99.9%, along with gold gilts around the coin. By 2013, the purity of the coin was raised to 999.9 or 99.9%. The popularity of the coin had been greatly enhanced by this time. Mintage has become unlimited since 2013, in an attempt to meet the rising investment demand. The coin is therefore produced according to the volume of the order book.

An interesting anomaly

In 2014, around 17,000 silver Britannia coins were struck at the Royal Mint with a wrong image on the obverse. There had been a mix-up with the Royal Mint’s lunar series – the year of the horse. These coins are commonly known as the ‘Mule Britannia’ and carry substantial premiums at auctions, due to demand from numismatists.

Get in touch with Physical Gold for silver Britannia investments

The silver Britannia is a flagship silver coin for investors and can generate good returns in the long-term. Call our investment team on (020) 7060 9992 to find out how this iconic British coin can be added to your portfolio.

 

Image credit: Eric Golub

Silver Bars or Silver Coins

Investing in silver is the biggest area of growth in the precious metals market, but what is best to invest in, the debate rages on about silver bars versus silver coins. Silver is 85 times cheaper than gold so is accessible to everyone and tempts investors with speculation of huge potential gains.

But what is better for investment? Should you buy silver coins or silver bars?

Today, I’ll take a look at 4 key comparisons between the two to help decide which one suits investment better.

Value

One of the key components of investing is getting the best possible purchase price for your asset in the first place. Certainly, 1oz silver coins are more expensive per gram than larger silver bars like 1kilo and 5 kilo silver bullion. If you’re simply focused on obtaining as much silver for your money as possible, then no doubt, buying big will achieve this. The cost of producing large bars is a far smaller percentage of the overall cost due to its scale and simpler design than coins.

However, coins are fighting back, many of the popular silver bullion coins are now also produced in 10oz and 1 kilo versions too, offering the chance to own silver coins at virtually the same price as silver bars.

Winner: Silver Bars

Divisibility

If you had the choice between buying one silver bar weighing 100 ounces or 100 one-ounce silver coins, then I’d generally recommend the coins for divisibility. Imagine a scenario where you’ve already bought your 100 ounces of silver and the market is moving up quickly.

When you choose to lock in some profit and sell, the large silver bar gives you one chance only. Once you’ve sold, your silver’s gone and you may miss further profits. With the silver coins, you’re able to drip feed the coins away, selling at various points to suit you.

The other scenario is if the financial system really does reach a breaking point. In that case, it would be far more practical to use your 1oz silver coins to barter for bread, milk and petrol than a 100 ounce bar.

Winner: Silver Coins

Storage

Next up is the practicalities of storing your silver investment.

For sure, silver bars are easier to store and take up less space. They’re larger and their rectangular size allows for simple silver stacking.

However, most of the popular 1oz silver investment coins can now be bought in monster boxes. These are specially designed storage boxes, tightly packing 500 coins at a time and permitting easy stacking of these boxes

Winner: Draw

Tax efficiency

The way of avoiding incurring any Capital Gains Tax is to buy and sell UK legal tender silver coins. Common Royal Mint coins such as the silver Britannia, Lunar Series and Queens Beasts range of silver coins are all CGT exempt.

The Royal Mint do not produce silver bars with a face value at present, so selling bars would be taxable. Now, that may not be an issue if your profits are under the tax threshold of around £12,000. But for many, looking to benefit from silver’s price potential, it’s perhaps not a risk worth taking.

Winner: Silver coins

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Read our article: The Dos and Don’ts of Buying Silver

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Overall – bars or coins – which is the best investment?

So which type of silver investment wins overall? I’d recommend starting your silver investment with silver coins. Sticking to British coins provides good value, divisibility, tax efficiency and the chance to store in monster boxes.

But as you build your silver portfolio, there’s definitely a place for adding silver bars. This can bring the overall purchase cost per gram down by a few per cent and combine well in all areas with the silver coins.

If you found this video helpful, don’t forget we have loads more videos covering all aspects of gold and silver investing. Check them out here.

Invest in Silver Bars and Coins with Physical Gold

We’re the fastest growing dealer of silver coins and bars in the UK. Not only do we have a huge choice, but we also exclusively deliver the silver to your door! Combine this with live pricing and quantity discounts, it’s easy to see why we’re so popular for silver!

If you need advice or guidance about silver bars versus silver coins, or anything else! Then don’t hesitate to call a member of our expert team on 020 7060 9992. Alternatively, engage on our live chat on the website or leave us a message here.

Best Silver Coins for Investment

With so many different silver coins now on the market, a question we get asked time and time again, is – “Which silver coins are best for investment?”.

So today, I’m going to reveal my top 5 silver coins which you can buy TODAY to achieve the best balance, returns and tax efficiency.

1. Silver Britannia

The starting point and backbone of any silver portfolio should be the UK Britannia.

This coin ticks all of the boxes. As a mass-produced silver bullion coin, premiums are low and it’s easy to buy in large quantities from precious metals dealers. Not only that, but most dealers will offer tiered price savings at regular quantity points to reward you for buying in bulk. If you can afford to buy 500 Britannias, they’ll arrive packed in a monster box, perfect for storing.

But that’s not all.

The Royal Mint produced Britannia is also legal tender in the UK. Why is that important to me? Well, if silver performs the way we expect over the coming years, and its value explodes, then cashing in your profits on silver coins could cause a capital gains tax issue. But any UK legal tender coin is Capital Gains Tax free to UK residents. So you get to keep ALL of your profits!

2. Silver Krugerrand

Next up is the infamous silver Krugerrand.

Possibly the best-known coin in the world, the Krugerrand has been issued in gold for over 50 years and is the most plentiful 1oz coin on the market. For that reason, the coin benefits from a super strong secondary market and can be easily traded around the world. It’s possibly the most common coin in continental Europe.

It’s quite surprising then that despite the success of the gold coin, the Silver Krugerrand only launched in 2018 for the first time. I’d recommend adding this iconic coin to your portfolio to provide value and liquidity.

3. Royal Mint Lunar Series

Balance is key to any investment portfolio, and the same goes for silver. So to provide a different angle to your portfolio, I’d recommend the Royal Mint Lunar Series.

Like the Britannia, the coin qualifies as legal tender, so any profits are CGT-free. But these coins add a whole new dimension to your portfolio. Each of the twelve coins in the series features an animal from the Chinese calendar and is released on its corresponding year. 2019 for instance, witnesses the release of the Year of the Pig coin.

This is clever marketing by the Royal Mint. These silver coins benefit from a collectability factor as buyers seek to own every coin in the set. But the Chinese theme means demand is strong from Asia, a market the Mint is targeting to increase its reach.

With each coin having a restricted mintage, prices tend to increase quickly when supplies run dry – boosting profits.

4. Argor Heraeus 5KG Silver Bar

Fourth in my list is a little leftfield – It’s the Argor-Heraeus produced Fiji 5kg silver bar.

I know what you’re thinking….That’s a silver bar, not a coin, right? Well, yes and no. Clearly, it appears to be a silver bar, but when you look closer, it has a twist. Each of these huge 5kilo bars has a Fijian face value. This coin is not CGT-exempt for UK investors.

It makes sense to add some of these to your silver portfolio as the huge size, reduces relative production costs, especially when compared to 1oz coins. So by owning some of these ‘coin bars’ as we call them, you can bring the average cost of your holding down, and boost profits!

Shop Silver Coins

5. Royal Mint Queens Beasts Series

Last up is the Silver Queens Beast range of coins. These play a similar role to the Lunar coins.

• Legal tender and therefore tax free –
• Part of a collectable series –
• Limited mintage –

But the Queens Beast coins also come in two sizes. 2oz bullion coins and massive 10oz versions. We’ve already seen premiums on these coins increase quicker than regular coins as each year passes.

So there you have it. 5 best silver coins to really boost your investment portfolio. Of course, there are many other silver coins available. So if you feel passionate about any coins I haven’t highlighted today, get in touch. If you found this video useful, be sure to check out all 20 of our video tutorials.

Buy the five best silver coins from a trusted source

When you’re ready to start investing in the best silver coins, there’s no better place than with the Physical Gold. We have a track record stretching back to 2008 and have a huge selection of silver coins and bars which can be ordered online, including our five best silver coins. If you need guidance, don’t hesitate to call our team on 020 7060 9992.

Investing & Collecting Silver Britannias

This video looks at the ever popular Britannia silver coins and assesses its role as a collectable investment.

The original Britannia coin was released as a 1oz gold coin by The Royal Mint in 1987. It attempted to emulate the success of the gold Krugerrand which has cornered the gold investment market for the previous two decades.

The silver Britannia launched ten years later and was originally issued as 958 fineness 1oz silver coin. From 2013, purity was increased to 999.9 fineness, otherwise known as 24 carats.

The coin characterises the best of Britain, with Queen Elizabeth’s portrait on the obverse and various versions of the Britannia icon on the back. The notion of Britannia goes back to Roman times and is depicted as a brave goddess warrior, complete with shield and trident. Her shape supposedly represents the personification of the British Isles.

So why is the silver Britannia such a good collectable investment?

1.Low premiums

The idea behind the Britannia is to offer a bullion coin containing 1oz of silver at a low premium. The coin is mass-produced to reduce costs and buyers are handsomely rewarded with price reductions when ordering large quantities of the coin.

2. Varied designs and options

The main image of Britannia on the coin’s reverse gives the coin its beauty. For those seeking to combine investment with collecting different coins, the Britannia is a great option as the image is updated regularly. The classic Britannia design stands, holding aloft her trident and shield. Previous motifs have included her riding a chariot, sat with a lion, close up and more contemporary designs.

Some designs are only available in proof finishes, but their variety makes the Britannia collectable, enhancing future values.

Special edition Britannias have also been launched, including the Oriental border and 30th-anniversary edition.

3. Tax efficient

Unlike the non-UK silver coins we sell, the Britannia has the added advantage of being legal tender in the UK. With its face value of £2, any profits made when selling silver Britannias is free from Capital Gains Tax. With predictions for the silver price to skyrocket over the coming years, the Britannia silver coins CGT tax free status really helps boost its merits as a collectable investment.

4. Stackable

With its modest 1oz in weight, the Silver Britannia provides a low-cost entry into the world of precious metals. Unlike the larger silver options such as 1kilo bars, the Britannias allow regular purchases for modest investors. Gradually building a silver Britannia collection is a great way of cost averaging the market while developing a nest egg.

If bought in bulk, storage is made simple. The coins come in Royal Mint tubes of 25 coins and monster boxes of 500, great for silver stacking.

Shop Silver Britannias

5. Proof sets and fractional sizes

If you veer more towards the collector rather than an investor, the Silver Britannia is a versatile option. Each year, the coin is not only minted in bullion finish, but also as a proof coin with strictly limited issue size. While these coins cost a far higher premium, they come in beautiful presentation boxes and make for great gifts.  Fractional versions are also available as part of special proof sets which include 6 different coin sizes.

Contact us to buy Britannia silver coins

So there you have it. The sheer versatility of Britannia silver coins makes it a fantastic choice as a long term investment and collectors coin. As our best selling silver coin, we help customers buy and sell Silver Britannias every day. If you need help or guidance, don’t hesitate to call us on 020 7060 9992 or send us a message here.

If you enjoyed this video on Silver Britannias, you may also want to view our others in our video tutorial suite. These cover both gold and silver, coins and bars.

The best 1oz Silver coins

With so much choice now available for silver 1oz coins, it’s important to ensure you pick the absolute best coins to meet your objectives. With that in mind, we run through the top 5 1oz silver coins to buy. Each of our expert selections is based on meeting a particular buyer objective. We recommend the best silver coins for;

• Mass Appeal
• Highest Purity
• Best for Price
• Collectability and
• Best All-Rounder

1. Mass appeal

The 1oz Silver Krugerrand is our first recommendation. Only launched in 2018 for the first time, the silver bullion Kruger comes a full 51 years after the gold coin first launched. The reputation of the Krugerrand for over half a century as a familiar, simple, trustworthy and great value 1oz coin, creates a great platform for this silver version.

Focussing your portfolio on coins with global appeal will increase your liquidity and selling options, regardless of where your future takes you.

2. Highest purity

Silver coins are minted in a variety of purity levels. Some are 958 parts silver, while most now boast 24 carat purity of 999 parts silver. The Silver Maple Leaf takes that to the next level with 999.9 purity. That’s 99.99% silver to you and me.

While a small selection of other coins also achieves this feat now, the Canadian Mint was the first to produce their gold and silver to such extreme purities. They, therefore, enjoy a reputation for being experts in this field.

3. Best for cost

Prices amongst even mass-produced bullion silver coins can vary greatly from mint to mint. If your objective is to get as many silver 1oz coins as possible for your money, then one of the lowest cost options is the Australian 1oz silver Kangaroo coin.

Produced by the highly regarded Perth Mint, the Kangaroo manages to undercut many of its rivals, particularly when it comes to larger quantity orders.

4. Best for collectability

If you enjoy building your silver coin collection and collecting a set of coins, then the Royal Mint’s Lunar series is an enticing option.

The Year of the Pig 1oz coin, for example, is one of 12 different coins in the range which represents the Chinese Zodiac. Premiums, when each coin is released, are relatively low for collectable coins, adding value as an investment. The coins are likely to benefit from increases in value due to the strong global demand for these coins. The added bonus is their tax free nature for UK buyers.

Shop 1oz Silver Coins

5. Best all-rounder

No surprises here – the 1oz Silver Britannia should provide the backbone to any silver coin portfolio in the UK. These coins offer great value, being mass-produced to a simple bullion finish. Quantity discounts are generous for larger orders, with 500 coins coming in stackable monster boxes.

The design of the Britannia motif on the back of the coins is updated every few years, creating a degree of collectability to the coins.

Possibly their biggest appeal though is their tax-free status. As legal tender in the UK, selling these coins at a profit is completely free from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Five great 1oz silver coins, to suit a variety of objectives. Don’t forget that with the growth of the silver investment market, new 1oz silver coins are being minted all the time, so expect original and exciting additions to join this list in the coming months and years. If you enjoyed this video, you can see 20 of our top video guides here.

If you’re keen to get started with silver, visit our online store at www.physicalgold.com/buy-silver-coins. We provide huge potential savings if you want to order silver coins for delivery to your door. If you’d like to chat with a member of our team, then please call 020 7060 9992.

The Bloomsbury Coin Fair

The Bloomsbury Coin Fair is a hugely popular event that is held 8 times a year in central London. With a highly affordable entry charge of only £2.00, it is a great place to visit and connect with the world of numismatists. It is a veritable treasure trove for those with a passion for collecting. They can not only see great coins first hand at the fair but also connect with experienced collectors.

There is plenty of advice available about coin investments and of course, the opportunity to browse catalogues and participate in auctions during the day. The Bloomsbury fair usually has around 40 dealers present and the owners of the event are John Philpotts and Sophie Dickenson, who are also responsible for running the show.

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Contact information for the Bloomsbury Coin Fair are:

• Website – http://www.bloomsburycoinfair.com/
• Telephone – 01242 898107
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bloomsburycoinfair
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/coinmedalfairs

Getting to the fair

For 2019, the fair has moved from its previous venue (and namesake – the Bloomsbury Hotel) and will now be staged (still in the Bloomsbury area) at the Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0DG.

Russell Square is the nearest tube station for visitors arriving via public transport, with Euston, Euston Square and Goodge Street being also within easy walking distance.

For those driving in, parking is available in over half a dozen car parks in the local area, click this link for further details.

 

2019 Bloomsbury coin fair dates and times

2019 promises to be a great year for gold and silver coins. The dates for the Bloomsbury Coin Fair in 2019 are as follows:

• 6th January 2019
• 2nd March 2019
• 6^thApril 2019
• 4^thMay 2019
• 6^thJuly 2019
• 5^thOctober 2019 and
• 7th December 2019

“Understanding the gold price per oz”, a YouTube video from Physical Gold Ltd.

Timings of entry are 9:30 AM to 2 PM and the entrance fee is £2 for guests. Exhibitors can also book tables to display their wares and do need to inform the organisers well in advance in order to ensure that a table will be available. Table prices range from £130 for a table 6 ft. long up to £250 for a 12-foot table. The fair covers many interesting periods in coin history. Visitors can find Tudor coins, Norman and Anglo-Saxon coins and even coins that date back to Roman times and the Iron Age. A list of regular exhibitors can be found here.

Call us for helpful advice when you build your collection

There are many exhibitions across the world where collectors congregate to find out more about coins and gain knowledge about numismatics and investing. Of course, the Bloomsbury Coin Fair is one of the most popular ones in the UK to attend.

However, expert knowledge is always helpful before you dash off with your hard-earned money to a coin fair to make investments. You need to have deep knowledge about the subject before you put your money on it and this does not come easy.

For those interested the fair also has a range of other antiquities for sale as well as banknotes and medals. If you enjoy visiting the Bloomsbury Coin Fair then you may also enjoy attending the London Coin Fair too – visit https://www.physicalgold.com/insights/london-coin-fair-dates-2019/ for details.

Contacting Physical Gold for further advice

The good news is that our experts at Physical Gold are always at your service to give you valuable advice, help you build your collection and even procure specific coins that you may want for your collection. Call us on 020 7060 9992 to talk to one of our experts who can help you learn more about numismatics and make the right investment decisions.

Disclaimer: Physical Gold is in no way connected to the Bloomsbury Coin Fair, but we do wholeheartedly recommend the fair as a good place to visit for both coin enthusiasts and investors.

Image Credit: bleantiquities

 

 

The London Coin Fair is a long-running numismatic event in the British capital. It has been staged for about 30 years now. It is held four times a year and is an important date in the UK numismatic calendar.  Of course, one of the highlights of the event is the dealer stalls that are set up. The many UK and European collectors flock to this event to buy coins. However, there are also many books and educational materials available for people who are growing an interest in coin collecting.

Contact information for the London Coin Fair are:

• Website – https://www.coinfairs.co.uk/london-coin-fair/
• Telephone – 01694 731781
• Email – veissid@btinternet.com
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/coinmedalfairs

Where it’s held

The London Coin Fair is currently held at the Holiday Inn hotel on Coram Street in London. The nearest London underground station is Russell Square. Once out of the station, visitors can walk up the road on to Woburn Place and take a right on to Coram Street, before Tavistock Place. The Holiday Inn is on Coram Street. If you’re travelling by car, the nearest car park is the NCP car park on Marchmont Street, very close to the Holiday Inn, off Tavistock Place.

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The event is held on the first Saturday of the month in February, June, September and November and is the largest international coin fair in the UK. In 2019 the dates for the fair are as follows:

• 2nd February 2019,
• 1st June 2019,
• 7^th September 2019 and
• 2nd November 2019

The event spans two floors of the hotel and features more than 75 dealers. There are specialist displays and dealer tables for ancient and modern coins, books, medals, lots of antique stuff and medals

Admission timings are 9:30 am – 4:00pm. Entry charges cost £5, concession £3 for one adult. For any additional information, please visit this page and email or call Mike Veissid.

 

Highlights of the fair

There are some famous auctions held at the fair. For example, the Baldwins Argentum Auction is a long-standing feature at this coin fair that starts at 2 pm. Buyers are allowed to view the auction items in the morning. Many European dealers exhibit at the coin fair. For example, the 4^th of February 2017 event saw a number of European participants like Agora Numismatics from Netherlands, Athens Numismatic Gallery from Greece, Collector’s Universe from Paris in France and Volodimir Dalinitchi from Germany.

One of the big differences between the UK and US numismatic events is that the coins are not embedded in a slab. Coins are embedded in the US for safety and security, however, at the London Coin Fair, collectors enjoy a greater ‘touch and feel’ experience before buying a coin.

If you enjoy visiting the London Coin Fair then you may also enjoy attending the Bloomsbury Coin Fair too – visit https://www.physicalgold.com/insights/bloomsbury-coin-fair-dates-2019/ for details.

Anybody interested in coin investment will benefit from viewing our YouTube video “The Gold price today & investing in gold medium to long term”

Bargains and rarities

There are bargain bins at the London Coin Fair, but collectors need to get to the event early in order to catch some good deals. But, for more serious collectors, there are some great treats in store. John Blyth, a boutique dealer who specialises in rarities had an 1859 Ansell Sovereign for sale, priced at 6,500 GBP during the fair held on 4th February 2017.

Call us today to discuss your collection

Numismatics is an absorbing passion for many. It’s a great activity to be involved in. If you’re starting out on your journey as a collector, pick up the phone and speak to our experts today. We have many years of experience in guiding collectors about what to buy and we might even be able to procure many special coins of interest that you badly want for your collection. Call us today on 020 7060 9992 and speak to one of our experts.

Disclaimer: Physical Gold is in no way connected to the Bloomsbury Coin Fair, but we do wholeheartedly recommend the fair as a good place to visit for both coin enthusiasts and investors.

Image Credit: Alex Schreyer

 

Coin sets usually consist of proof coins. A proof coin is a coin struck using a special, high-quality minting process. These coins were historically produced for checking the production dies and for archival purposes, however nowadays these higher quality coins are often produced in greater numbers especially for coin collectors / numismatists.

Proof production usually involves polishing of the production dies and often uses chemicals to make certain parts of the design take a matt appearance, with the polished fields displaying a mirror finish. They can often be distinguished from bullion coins by their sharper rims and more defined design. An easy way to understand the different look between proof and bullion is to imagine the enhanced sharpness an HD television offers over standard definition.

Proof coins are sometimes sold in encapsulated tamper-proof plastic casing straight from the mint. The casing maintains their pristine condition, and integrity. Others may simply be presented in a wooden presentation box.

These coins are often produced in limited issue, often adding to their collectable appeal. Commonly proof coins will come in a set of several proof coins, perhaps including all fractional denominations of a certain coin. These sets are usually beautifully packaged and can make great presents.

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The cost of proof coins is generally 10-25% higher than their bullion version, even though they have the same gold content and are of the same purity. When you come to sell a proof coin it is unlikely you will receive the full premium back, and for this reason these coins are not the best form of gold to purchase for investment purposes.

Coin Sets

Originally, gold proof coins were intended as pre-production samples. Traditionally the mint would produce a small range of proof copies ready to be approved by the monarch- going some way to explain why they are produced to such a superior standard of finish. Several techniques are undertaken in order to achieve an appearance that is close to flawless, with the resulting proof coins then individually inspected and packaged.

As such these types of coins are perfect for the more sentimental collector. Those with a keen interest in the history of their investments often opt for gold proof coins.

Proof Coins

Sold individually or in sets, proof coins are purchased

for a variety of purposes. Whilst they are sometimes bought as an investment, those with a keen eye for profit are morely likely to opt for bullion coins. On the other hand, coin sets are ideal as presents, keepsakes or historical artefacts. The exquisite detail of proof coins coupled with their aesthetic appeal

has made them something of a must amongst numismatists.

As a keen numismatist, it’s important to know more about proof coins. These coins are usually struck with special dies. Each coin is struck twice at the minimum and finished with special polishes. While they do not enter circulation, their look and feel are quite different from standard coinage that is not circulated. They possess an aura and lustre of their own, that makes it attractive to collectors.

Reason for proof sets

Of course, the purpose of the proof sets is to finalise the production run. The proofs are reviewed and approvals procured by the mint to ensure that the coin is suited for release. 1936 saw the first proof sets being minted and this tradition continues even today. Proof sets are popular amongst collectors, for their look as well as affordability as a type of gold investment. Numismatists prefer investing in collectable coins instead of bullion bars. These coins may be cheaper in certain cases, simply because they never entered circulation. Proof sets often come in their original packaging, which is left undisturbed by the collectors in order to enhance their value. Mints across the world have picked up on the numismatic trend of collecting proof sets and they often release a collection of proof sets aimed at the collectors.

Mint sets

Many people confuse proof sets with mint sets. They are actually two different things altogether. Unlike proof sets, there are no special dies or finishing polishes used to make these coins. Mint sets, however, do mean exactly what the name implies – that the coins are in mint condition, untouched and uncirculated. The principle is the same as mint condition vinyl LPs or collectable books that have never been taken out of their original packaging, untouched by the hands of man. This is the intrinsic value that it commands amongst collectors.

Untouched and uncirculated

Of course, they come with their original packaging intact and un-tampered. For example, the US releases complete mint sets for collectors on a yearly basis. This means that each set contains uncirculated coins struck by every US mint for that year. Currently, the US has four mints that are active. These are San Francisco, Denver Colorado, Philadelphia and West Point. Now, each set will have one mint condition, untouched and uncirculated coin of every denomination released for that particular year. Mint sets may also have old and rare coins, which makes them even more valuable and desirable to collectors. The 1996 Roosevelt Dime is a classic example of a rare coin that was never circulated and its untouched mint set commands considerable value among avid collectors and numismatists alike.

Gold Proof Coins

Experiencing a boom in collector popularity during the 1930s, minting methods have actually improved through the decades, resulting in superior proof finishes. Despite this it is not unusual to notice toning, spotting or discolouration, however they will be free from signs of wear and tear, due to not having been in circulation.

Talk to our gold experts before investing in coin sets

At Physical Gold, our gold experts can advise you on the best deals when it comes to coin sets. Given that there is a wide variety of choice among these collectable sets, its best to have an expert advise you on the best buy for your portfolio. If you are buying a coin set from us, you can rest assured that every item we trade comes with a certificate of authenticity and a complete buyback guarantee.

Physical Gold is proud to be one of the most reputed online gold and precious metals dealers. Our numismatic experts are second to none in the quality of service and knowledge. We love speaking to customers just like you every day and our team of experts can advise you on how to build a robust and lasting gold portfolio that will truly stand the test of time. Call us now on 020 7060 9992 or contact us online by sending us an email through this link. Once a member of our team receives your message, we will be in touch right away.

 

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons and Wikimedia Commons

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