Coins
Coins and Stamps in Investment Top 10 List
Coutts – bankers to the Queen – have confirmed coins and stamps as lucrative hobby investments…
The Coutts Passion index tracks the rate at which the price of hobby investments has risen, and its increase of 80% between 2005 and 2014 proves that there is money to be made for those who decide to turn their hobby into an investment.
Stamp and coin collecting both made the top 10 in recent news, despite having been around for hundreds of years these collecting pastimes remain just as popular today…
200 Million Collectors
Postage stamp collecting is still enjoyed by around 200 million people worldwide
In fact, it’s estimated that around 200 million people worldwide still enjoy collecting stamps to this very day. An impressive figure considering the technological advances that the world has seen over the years and new fads and crazes that have developed.
Ranked in 9th place by Coutts – philately is still widely recognised by many as a popular collectible hobby.
Postage stamp collecting began at the same time that stamps were first issued, and by the 1860’s thousands of collectors and stamp dealers were appearing around the world as this new study and hobby spread across Europe.
Collecting stamps for investment purposes is viewed as a hedge against inflation and devalued currencies. Perhaps not as popular for younger audiences as it once was, stamp collecting is still considered to be a worthwhile hobby – which can be both rewarding and profitable to the collector.
Ranked at number 3 in the Coutts top 12 list, is coin collecting. Last year prices for old coins grew at a rate of 9% and over the 10 year period between 2005 and 2014 they have risen a staggering 176%
Top 3 Position
The Kew Gardens 50p often sells for up to £30 (60 times its face value)
People have kept coins for their bullion value for as long as coins have been minted, however, the collection of coins for their artistic value came much later.
Today, coin enthusiasts are still hunting for collectible coins to add to their collections. There are many different areas within numismatics which range from theme, metal, currency, era and country.
Keith Heddle of Stanley Gibbons, puts coins’ enduring popularity down to “their tangibility and literal link to money, wealth and precious metals”.
So, it’s good news for collectors. With coins like the undated 20p and the Kew Gardens 50p which can simply be found in loose change, the return on their investment stands to be even higher in percentage terms.
Stamps, along with coins, are the only two alternative investments on the Telegraph’s list that have not lost money in any given year since 2005.
Whilst it’s always nice to hear about coin and stamp values rising, we always recommend that you collect first and foremost for the enjoyment of the hobby.
The most lucrative ‘hobby investments’ over 10 years
- Classic cars
- Old Master and 19th Century art
- Old coins
- Rare musical instruments
- Post-war and contemporary art
- Jewellery
- Rugs and carpets
- Impressionist and modern art
- Stamps
- Fine wine
- Traditional Chinese works
- Watches
The Westminster Collection offers a variety of collectible stamps and coins.
click here to find out more.
Revealed: The UK’s Secret New Coins
If you believe that as a UK citizen you have access to (even priority over) all new UK coins, THINK AGAIN.
It seems that’s no longer the case.
We’ve recently uncovered two UK issues that appear to have never been released to British collectors.
The First World War coin for US Collectors only
The platinum Kitchener coin – exclusively for the US
The first is a special Platinum version of the Lord Kitchener £2 Coin. UK collectors were treated to base metal, silver and gold versions of the coin last year, but never a Platinum coin.
Yet, a couple of months ago, we heard information that US Collectors had access to a Platinum version – apparently released exclusively for a Royal Mint Distributor in the USA.
Why the best Battle of Waterloo Silver Coin has been kept for the Dutch
The “Secret” UK 2015 Silver Waterloo £2 Coin
But that’s not the only example. If you buy a 3 coin silver set from the Dutch Mint, you can own a special version of Battle of Waterloo Silver Proof Coin – seemingly never listed nor offered by the Royal Mint.
What’s more, the “secret” coin, reserved for the European market, WEIGHS MORE, has PURER SILVER and has a LOWER EDITION LIMIT than the version for British collectors. In short, it is superior in all three elements that create value for the collector.
More secrets to uncover?
These are just two examples, but are there more collecting gems hidden in international markets still to be discovered?
Well I think the answer is probably “Yes”.
We have, for example, come across a Royal Proclamation published on 20 February detailing a 1½ ounce silver £2 coin featuring “three Lions passant guardant, being that quartering of Our Royal Arms know heraldically as England”.
Now that’s certainly not a coin we have seen in the UK.
The best is heading abroad.
Put simply, some of the UK’s most collectable coins are heading abroad.
These are coins that will always have an interesting story behind them. The sort of thing that coin catalogues notice and future collectors love.
In fact, imagine yourself watching the Antiques Roadshow in years to come…
“The Royal Mint regularly issued Silver Proof Coins but this Battle of Waterloo coin’s a bit different. It was never made available to UK collectors…”
If you’re interested…
The “Secret” Battle of Waterloo 1 Ounce Silver Proof
As soon as we heard rumours of the Battle of Waterloo 1 Ounce Silver Proof Coin, we made enquiries amongst the European coin trade to see whether we could secure some for UK collectors.
***NOW SOLD OUT***
The Story Behind the new Longest Reigning Monarch £5 Coin
The new Longest Reigning Monarch £5 Coin issued by Jersey
This week a new £5 coin will be issued to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becoming our longest reigning monarch on 9th September.
One of the very first coins has been issued by Jersey and I’ve been given exclusive access to go behind-the-scenes for the blog.
The new £5 coin has been designed by Timothy Noad, whose work has featured on many UK coins over the years. He has even designed the Gold Sovereign twice, an unprecedented honour which is testament to his passion and understanding of numismatic art.
This passion shows through in his design for the new £5 coin. Featuring an Oak Tree and the Royal Cipher surrounded by the inscription ‘1952 – Long to Reign Over Us – 2015’, the coin has a dignified and prestigious presence. I asked Timothy what gave him his inspiration for the design:
“The oak tree came to mind as an emblem with many relevant associations. The Royal Oak, as well as a popular pub name, is a well-known image and oak branches form part of the heraldic badge of the House of Windsor.
“It is also a symbol of Britain, endurance and longevity, so very appropriate for the Queen. Shields were hung on trees during medieval tournaments, often held in honour of a Queen or noble lady, and this shield bears the Queen’s personal cipher. I enjoy seeing how my drawings are translated into actual coins and I am very happy with this design.”
The process behind the design of the new coin
From Drawing to Finished Coin
But getting from an idea to a struck coin is a time consuming process, a real labour of love.
First of all the design is hand-drawn, and careful consideration has to be given to the shape and size of the engraving so it can be accurately minted. Then the wording has to be laid out, with the added complication of retaining the typesetting within the circular shape.
Finally, the finished drawing is scanned and processed, ready to be made into a die which will eventually be used to produce the commemorative coins you can own.
Limited Edition Versions Available
Detail of the Longest Reigning Monarch £5 Coin design
The most affordable limited edition version of the coin is the Proof Edition, featuring the addition of gold ink. Just 4,950 will be minted and these are sure to be popular.
The coin is also being struck in a range of other formats, from a face value version right up to a staggering 5 ounce gold edition – I’ve held one and its sheer scale took my breath away.
So there’s a type of coin for all collectors – and if there’s one thing I’m sure, it’s that this coin is a truly fitting commemoration of the remarkable reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
If you’re interested…
The Longest Reigning Monarch £5 Proof Coin is available to pre-order now.
***NOW SOLD OUT***