Putting rare coins into UK Auction Houses

[numismatist 2]

Must say I've tried to get advise on a suitable auction and selling costs for some

rare Foreign Coins and got pretty well nowhere...Baldwins just answered very evasively

saying " you must bring them in " and avoided all mention of the two rarest ones which

I am very sure would fetch 5K and 3K plus in their auctions. Spinks normally just ignor

completely any emails and photos sent. Has anyone got good advice from any other Auction

Houses in the UK or the US ones. I know Stacks Ponterio got well over 5K UK pounds for

one of my Coins (mines far better)and all I have would do well with them or Heritage I'm

sure , but has anyone got experience of the logistics of sending to the US, and if there

is import taxes etc if sent to the US for Auction ? thanks

[Nicholas 51]

Heritage auctions has a huge following and your best chance of market/list price. All coins should be slabbed by NGC prior to the auction and heritage will arrange this at about $30 each (I think) - give plenty of time ahead of the auction. The US market is very strong for milled proofs especially if the NGC grade is MS64,65,66... Non slabbed coins receive little attention in the sceptical us market.

If you tell me what coins you have and condition I can suggest which auction house around the world.

[Nicholas 51]

BTW most countries have import taxes, Australia is roughly 10%. Ouch. So, you'll find that most coin dealers and auction houses declare a trivial low value and describe the package contents as "metal object over 100 years old for numismatic study" or something similar...

[numismatist 2]

Thanks Nicholas, Ive sent PM...I wondered about the dreaded slabs...Most Coins Ive seen fetching top prices

in the US Auctions have been slabbed and with very fanciful grading (By UK proper standards) and their UNCs

can have quite a bit of wear and knocks and scratches etc and normally no mention is made of obvious faults.

[jaggy 528]

BTW most countries have import taxes, Australia is roughly 10%. Ouch. So, you'll find that most coin dealers and auction houses declare a trivial low value and describe the package contents as "metal object over 100 years old for numismatic study" or something similar...

I live in the USA and have not had to pay import taxes on coins purchased in the UK.

Agree with your comments on Heritage. I have bought some coins from them and have been reasonably happy with the grading. The Heritage web site is very good and their photos of the coins are excellent so you do know what you are buying. I think the advantage of Heritage is that you are hitting a pretty big market and one which is willing to pay a premium for quality. But the NGC grading is absolutely key here. Personally, I am not big on slabbing but, in the US market, it is a prerequisite to getting top dollar for the coin.

[Nicholas 51]

I only get coins slabbed when selling in the US, else I crack them out for my collection.. (Sorry NGC I know this wrecks your stats)

[RLC35 288]

Must say I've tried to get advise on a suitable auction and selling costs for some

rare Foreign Coins and got pretty well nowhere...Baldwins just answered very evasively

saying " you must bring them in " and avoided all mention of the two rarest ones which

I am very sure would fetch 5K and 3K plus in their auctions. Spinks normally just ignor

completely any emails and photos sent. Has anyone got good advice from any other Auction

Houses in the UK or the US ones. I know Stacks Ponterio got well over 5K UK pounds for

one of my Coins (mines far better)and all I have would do well with them or Heritage I'm

sure , but has anyone got experience of the logistics of sending to the US, and if there

is import taxes etc if sent to the US for Auction ? thanks

The USA does not have a import tax (or VAT) on coins. Of the two U.S. Houses you mentioned, Heritage is by far the superior Auction House, both in following (clients), and reputation.

[numismatist 2]

Thanks everyone, it really seems best to forget selling in the UK

and head the NGC / Heritage way (Though I always say I hate slabs

thats where the top prices seem to be , so my mind is changing fast,

as slabs seem to be the ONLY way to sell in the US at top dollar)