The organisation, which has operated as a limited company solely owned by HM Treasury since 2010, is offering clients three levels of service for their pre-decimal British coins (ie before 1971), each attracting a different fee:
- ‘Online’: a simple online valuation with brief details based on a clear image of the coin attached to the enquiry – £10
- Standard: a more detailed inspection of the coin drawing on The Royal Mint’s archive and technology along with a telephone call to discuss your enquiry in more detail – £100
- Premium: a higher level of research, evaluation and authentication. The Royal Mint’s experts will speak with you and create a full report on your coin or coins. You also receive a Royal Mint certificate signed by the deputy master of the Mint – £200
The Royal Mint says it is “well placed to help coin collectors gain a deeper understanding of their coins” and this move extends its existing collector services which include secure storage. It is also planning to introduce a ‘care and display’ facility in March to help collectors with presenting and protecting their coins.
CEO of The Royal Mint Anne Jessopp said: “As a trusted organisation with an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1000 years, customers have been asking us to value and authenticate their pre-decimal coins for some time.
“Following the announcement this year that we will be growing our presence in the collector services market, I am delighted that we are launching a service that makes the respected opinion of our experts more easily accessible for our customers.”
A George III 1776 rose guinea. The Royal Mint has expanded its collector services and is now offering to identify and authenticate historical coins such as this for a fee.
This latest move follows other commercial ventures since the 1100-year-old institution, which can trace its origins back to Alfred the Great, became a limited company. These include the launch of a bullion-trading website, a visitor centre at its headquarters in Glamorgan and a partnership with derivatives marketplace Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Last year it was also announced that as part of a five-year plan to grow its interest in the coin-collecting market, The Royal Mint has taken a share in Mayfair numismatic dealership Sovereign Rarities.
The Royal Mint remains under contract to supply all coinage for the UK and maintains one of the finest collections of coins in its museum.
