Questions people actually ask at the counter

Visiting

Do I need an appointment?

For a quick question or a few coins, no — come in during opening hours. If you are bringing a large collection or want an unhurried sit-down, it is worth arranging a time so enough of it can be set aside for you. Address and directions are on the visit page.

Am I expected to buy or sell something?

No. A good number of visits end with somebody knowing more than they did and nothing changing hands. That is a perfectly normal outcome here.

Are children welcome?

Very much so. A surprising number of lifelong collections started with a child being shown a coin and asking one question about it.

Buying and collecting

How much do I need to spend to start collecting?

Less than most people expect. Plenty of genuinely interesting coins are inexpensive, and starting small is a better way to discover what holds your interest than committing a large sum early. The collecting page describes the areas people usually begin with.

Can I see what you have in stock online?

No. This site does not sell anything and does not list inventory or prices. What is available changes constantly, so the honest answer is to come in and look.

What does grading actually mean?

It is a shared vocabulary for describing how much wear and detail a coin shows, plus how it strikes the eye. The fastest way to learn it is to hold two examples of the same coin side by side — we are happy to do that with you.

Inherited jewelry and coins

Do I have to sell anything?

No. Plenty of people come in only to understand what they have inherited, and leave with everything they arrived with. Understanding first, deciding later, is a perfectly good plan — the inheritance guidance page walks through the steps.

My inheritance is a mix of jewelry and coins. Can I bring it all?

Yes. Bring it together — coins in their existing holders and albums, jewelry with any boxes, certificates or earlier appraisals. We will go through it with you and be straightforward about anything that falls outside what we can assess.

What is the difference between an appraisal and a purchase offer?

A formal appraisal is documented work prepared for a stated purpose, with an agreed scope and fee. A purchase offer is simply a figure we would pay. An existing appraisal figure is a record of an opinion, not a promise of what an item will realise on resale. There is more on this on the appraisals page.

What should I bring?

The items as they are, plus any receipts, certificates, grading reports, inventory lists or old correspondence. Please do not clean coins or polish jewelry beforehand, and write down your questions so they do not get lost in the moment.

Selling

Should I clean my coins before bringing them in?

Please do not. Cleaning is the single most common way collection value is lost, and the marks it leaves cannot be undone.

Should I sort or organise everything first?

There is no need. Bring it as it is, in whatever albums, envelopes or boxes it lives in, along with any notes or paperwork. Keeping the collection together helps us understand it — how selling works explains the rest.

Can you tell me what it is worth over the phone or by email?

Not reliably. Value in coins depends on details that have to be seen — condition, variety, originality. We can talk about generalities remotely, but any figure needs the material in front of us.

Do I have to decide the same day?

No, and we would rather you did not feel you had to. Take the information home, discuss it with family, and come back when you are ready.

Appraisals

What is the difference between an evaluation and an appraisal?

An evaluation is an informal conversation about what you have and roughly where its value sits. A formal appraisal is documented work prepared for a stated purpose, with an agreed scope and an agreed fee. An offer to purchase is a third thing again — a price we would pay.

What does an appraisal cost?

It depends on the purpose and the scope of the work, so we agree both with you and confirm the fee before anything begins. No work starts on an unspecified basis.

Can you provide an appraisal for my insurer, my attorney or the IRS?

Ask them precisely what form of appraisal they require, then tell us. We will give you a straight answer about whether it is something we can prepare, rather than assuming. We do not give tax or legal advice.