A tin of old coins can contain nothing of value — or a single coin worth hundreds of pounds hidden among common dates. Our specialists sort through every submission, identify rare dates and varieties, grade each significant coin, and provide a written valuation that explains exactly what you have and what it is worth.
The following ranges are indicative only. Actual values depend on date, variety, grade, and current market demand.
| Category | Typical range | Key value factors |
|---|---|---|
| Gold sovereign (full, common date) | £380–£500 | Date, condition, monarch |
| Gold sovereign (rare date) | £500–£5,000+ | Specific date, grade, provenance |
| Pre-1920 silver crown | £15–£200+ | Date, grade, toning |
| Pre-1920 silver half-crown | £5–£80 | Date, grade, variety |
| Penny (copper, key dates) | £10–£500+ | 1869, 1882H, 1933 (extremely rare) |
| Hammered silver (Tudor/Stuart) | £20–£500+ | Monarch, denomination, grade |
| Roman coins (British finds) | £10–£300+ | Emperor, type, condition |
| Proof sets (modern, gold/silver) | £50–£2,000+ | Year, metal, completeness |
| World gold coins | £300–£5,000+ | Country, date, weight, rarity |
Important: These are indicative ranges only. A 1933 George V penny — one of only seven known — sold for over £70,000. Most pennies are worth 5p. The difference between a common date and a rare date in the same series can be a factor of 1,000. Specialist assessment is the only way to know what you have.
Coin collecting is one of the most detail-specific areas of valuation. Two apparently identical pennies — same monarch, same denomination — can differ in value by a factor of 100 or more based on a single digit in the date or a barely visible mint mark. Cash-for-gold shops weigh gold coins for melt value and ignore collector premiums. General antique dealers rarely have the numismatic knowledge to identify key dates.
Our specialists have current knowledge of the British and world coin markets. We check every date against current rarity guides and recent auction records, and we flag valuable varieties that non-specialists would miss.
Tell us what you have. We send a free insured postage label by email.
Pack carefully, photograph before posting. Fully insured in transit.
We send a written valuation explaining every factor and comparable sales.
Accept and receive payment in 72 hours, or decline for a free insured return.
Every coin assessed individually. Rare dates identified. Gold and silver content calculated. Written report. No obligation to sell. Free insured postage both ways.
Request a free coin valuation →How do you value old coins?
Coin value depends on four factors: date (some dates are rare), variety (die varieties, errors, and mint marks), grade (condition on a scale from Poor to FDC/BU), and metal content (gold and silver coins have intrinsic metal value). We assess every coin individually against current auction records and dealer prices, and identify any rare dates or varieties that might otherwise be overlooked.
Are pre-decimal coins worth anything?
Many are. Pre-1920 British silver coins (crowns, half-crowns, florins, shillings, sixpences) contain 92.5% silver and have intrinsic metal value. Pre-1947 coins contain 50% silver. Beyond metal value, many specific dates are scarce and command collector premiums — an 1893 silver crown in EF grade can be worth £100+, while a common 1966 shilling is worth 50p.
Do you value modern commemorative coins?
We assess all coins submitted, but modern Royal Mint commemorative coins in base metal generally have little premium above face value. The exceptions are gold and silver proof issues in original packaging, which do retain value. We will be transparent if a coin has minimal resale value.
Can I get my coins valued without sorting them first?
Yes. We assess unsorted collections, tins of loose coins, inherited albums, and mixed lots as submitted. Our specialists will sort through the collection, identify key pieces, and value the collection as a whole. You do not need to catalogue, sort, or clean anything before sending.
What about foreign and world coins?
We assess all world coinage. Foreign gold coins (American Eagles, French Napoleons, South African Krugerrands, Australian Sovereigns) have strong markets. Foreign silver (Morgan dollars, world crown-sized silver) is also assessed. Base-metal foreign coins are generally only worth face value unless they are genuinely rare.
Also see: Sell coin collection · Sell silver coins · Gold sovereign valuation · Sell 50p coins · Sell commemorative coins