IVITEMSAccepted items
We buy gold. Hallmarked or not, whole or broken
One ring or an entire estate. If you are not sure what you have, describe it on the phone. We can usually tell from the marks and the weight.
- 01Gold coinsWhat we know best, and what we most want to see.
- Dates and mint marks checked first, in case the coin is worth more than its metal
- Do not clean them. A cleaned coin can be worth less than the dirt ever was
- Proof sets and boxed coins: send the case and the paperwork, both can add to the price
- Graded coins in NGC or PCGS holders: priced on what that coin sells for in that grade, not on its gold weight
- Coins mounted as pendants: the coin and the mount priced separately
- Worn or scratched: circulation does not change the gold inside
- 02Gold jewellery9ct to 24ct, hallmarked or not.
- Worn or illegible hallmarks: the test decides what it is, not the stamp
- Broken chains and single earrings: the same rate per gram as whole pieces
- Unmarked pieces: we test them
- Stones removed and returned to you
- Antique or signed pieces checked for value beyond the gold before anything is melted
- 03Gold bullionBought on fine gold content.
- Bars without their certificate or original packaging: tested, and paid the same
- If a bar tests as anything other than what it claims, we tell you and post it back free
- 04Other gold itemsThe things people are least sure are worth sending.
- Gold-filled and rolled gold: tested, then priced honestly
- Odd findings, clasps and sweepings: send them as one parcel and we weigh the lot
What we don't buy
We would rather tell you now than waste your postage.
- Watches as watches. We buy the gold case, not the movement, so if it is worth more whole, sell it as a watch
- Silver, platinum and palladium. Gold only, for now
- Diamonds and coloured stones. We take them out and send them back, but we do not buy them
- Costume jewellery, and gold plate on base metal marked GP, EPNS, HGE or 1/20. There is not enough gold in them to cover the postage
IVPF70Proof and graded
A proof coin is not
scrap gold.
Proof and graded coins usually sell for more than the gold inside them. Most buyers quote spot anyway, or under it, which is why somebody who paid a premium for a coin often feels stuck with it. We price yours against what it actually sells for.
- 01Graded proofs
- NGC and PCGS holders, PF 70 and PF 69. The grading is third party verification, so nothing has to be taken on trust on either side. We know exactly what the coin is, and we can price it against recent sales of the same coin in the same grade.
- 02Loose proofs
- In the original presentation box with the Royal Mint certificate. Send both. They are part of what the coin is worth, and the same coin without them fetches less.
- 03Graded bullion coins
- MS 70 and MS 69, bought on the same basis. The premium on these is smaller than on graded proofs, and on some issues there is none at all, so we will tell you where yours actually sits rather than quote you a number and hope.
- 04How we get to a figure
- We look up what your coin has recently sold for in your grade, and we offer against that rather than against its weight. If the market says a coin is worth no more than its gold, we will say so. That is the point of doing the research rather than skipping it.
Read us the certification number from the label, or send a photograph of it, and we will come back with a figure for that exact coin.
Send us the detailsIVSPECReference
Identifying what you have
Fineness is the parts of pure gold per thousand, so 750 means 75% gold, which is 18 carat. It is stamped on almost every hallmarked British piece.
TBL. 1
Fineness by carat
Fineness is the parts of pure gold per thousand. It is stamped on almost every hallmarked British piece.
- 9 carat
- 375
- 10 carat
- 417
- 14 carat
- 585
- 18 carat
- 750
- 22 carat
- 916
- 24 carat
- 999
TBL. 2
Coins, by fine gold
Gross weight is what the coin weighs on scales. Fine content is the pure metal inside it, and that is what a valuation is based on.
| Coin | Gross | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Full sovereign | 7.98 g | 7.32 g |
| Half sovereign | 3.99 g | 3.66 g |
| Britannia (1oz) | 31.10 g | 31.10 g |
| Krugerrand (1oz) | 33.93 g | 31.10 g |
| Maple Leaf (1oz) | 31.10 g | 31.10 g |
Some coins are worth more than their gold: early dates, scarce mints, exceptional condition. We check every coin for that before we make an offer, and if it is worth more as a coin than as metal, we tell you and we pay for the coin.
Find out what it is worth.
Then decide, or don’t.
A valuation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Call and we will work through the sum with you on the phone, or email photographs and we aim to come back to you within 48 hours.
- Free valuation, no obligation to sell
- Insured postage both ways
- Non-destructive testing, readings shared
- Same-day bank transfer on acceptance