Collecting banknotes is a hobby which gives thousands of people pleasure around the world. Known as Notaphily, collectors are often referred to as notaphilists. Collecting paper money may NOT be as popular as stamp or coin collecting...

Collecting stamps is a popular and rewarding hobby that is carried out in Britain, Europe, America and throughout the world. Ever since the Penny Black was first issued in 1840, collecting stamps has given great joy to millions of people - including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  A timeless hobby, ...

Coin grading is far from easy as it remains a subjective area, where opinions vary, and there is no scientific or factual scale on which to base a grading. Just to confuse matters even further, almost every country has its own language to explain their various coin grades. Grading issues have caused dispu...

THE HISTORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY The Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858) was a campaign medal issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to officers and men serving in British and Indian units during operations to suppress the Indian Mutiny, which began on 10 May 1857. Having...

The Victory Medal is a bronze campaign medal issued by the United Kingdom to all servicemen, women and nationals of the British Empire who served in any theatre of war operations during World War One, including at sea. Also known as the Inter Allied Victory Medal, it was first recommended for issue in March 1919 ...

THE HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO The historic Battle of Waterloo took place on 18 June 1815, in present-day Belgium near Brussels. The conflict saw the French Army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, go head to head with the Seventh Coalition – a combined army which included British troops under the Duke of ...

Coin collecting dates back to the 12th century, and it remains a popular hobby for people of all ages around the world. Commonly known as ‘numismatics’ by enthusiasts, there are many different reasons for starting a coin collection. One of the cheapest ways to begin collecting is by saving spe...

Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to own gold coins will understand that there’s something solid and satisfying about investing in sovereigns. As one of the world’s most recognisable coins, it symbolises the quality and history that’s long been associated with The Royal Mint First mi...

It takes much hard work, effort and dedication to create a model railway collection. Loved and cherished by those who have them, they come in all shapes and sizes and often contain a wide variety of makes or models. As one of the leading international providers of mo...

Most rare hammered coins are unearthed by metal detectorists or discovered by dedicated numismatic collectors. Often easier to identify than they are to find, a hammered coins value is open to interpretati...

Coins are interesting and fun to collect, but it is actually very difficult to know their true worth because, like any kind of collectable, it depends on many different variables. Having been trusted to value numismatics since 1958, our experts are frequently asked: How much are my coins worth? What you m...

Stamp collecting continues to be among the most popular hobbies, keenly followed by collectors all over the world. Its popularity may have waned since the 1950s and 60s, when almost half of youngsters had a collection of som...

Selling coins at auction has consistently proven to be one of the best ways to achieve the highest possible realisations for your collectables. As a leading UK coin valuer and auctioneer which has operated in this specialist field since 1958, we are well placed to provide advice about how to sell coins at auction...

To carry out stamp grading accurately, a degree of specialist philatelic knowledge is required. But even if you enjoy collecting stamps as a hobby rather than as an investment, you can still learn about the many different factors that must be considered when trying to determine a stamp’s value. The best philate...

Archaeological evidence suggests that hammered coins were produced in the UK from as early as 600AD. First used by the Anglo-Saxons, these fascinating coins span a rich period of English history – from the Vikings and Normans through to the Tudors and Stuarts. ...

The study of postcards is known as ‘deltiology’ and they are often collected as souvenirs, mementos or historical records. First printed and sent by the postal service circa 1840, the popularity of sending postcards has sadly declined in the digital era. However, postcard collecting is still a...

Whether you've inherited a collection of coins or spent years assembling an impressive collection, there may come a time when you wish to sell your coins. For many with little experience of selling collectables this can be a daunting process. When researching how to sell rare coins, the internet tends to be the f...

Unearthing a rare stamp is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s highly unlikely, but hidden gems do still turn up.  With tens of thousands of active collectors based in the UK, and millions more around the world - especially in Asia, there are plenty of rare stamp collections which have not yet been disco...

The value of old postcards is affected by many variable factors, but demand, condition and rarity often have the greatest influence on how much a postcard's worth. As experienced valuers of collectables, our experts are often asked: How do I value my vintage and old postcards? Unless you have years of exp...

Stamp collecting is a rewarding hobby for all ages. However, it can be quite challenging if you don’t know the meaning of the stamp terminology that’s widely used by collectors and dealers. This guide to stamp collecting abbreviations has been compiled for those who may need a bit more clarity to fully unders...

Stamp collecting is a fulfilling hobby with very few rules, but it’s actually much more than that. To many stamp collectors, it’s a way to explore the world, its many different countries, their diverse history, beautiful artwork and colourful cultures. You don't have to buy expensive equipment to enjo...

Sword collecting is one of those hobbies which usually begins by accident. You inherit or buy your first sword, put it on display and get bitten by the bug. At this point, you probably know very little about antique swords or their history. But with a little research, you can quickly pick up the basics an...

Stamp errors are often highly prized by philatelic investors and collectors. The reason stamps with printing errors are so desirable is because their defects have unintentionally created some of the rarest and most visually striking stamps in the world. Some errors can result in a stamp being valued thous...

For as long as there have been wars, children have loved to play with toy soldiers. The appeal of small military figures soared in the late 19th Century, but they’ve even been found in the tombs of ancient pharaohs. Nowadays, they’re far more than just a bit of childhood fun. For many collecto...

Sovereigns are attractive coins with an interesting history which form a key part of the UK’s heritage and tradition. In recent years, these collectable items have often been used in jewellery or given as gifts for special occasions like weddings and christenings. Rare or proof sovereigns are highly...

Penny Red stamps were the main type of postage payment in the UK for almost 40 years – and they remain a much-loved part of British postal history. First printed in February 1841, its distinct brownish-red colour earned notoriety when replacing the Penny Black, just nine months after it had been issued....

The charming Two Penny Blue Stamp is arguably one of the most famous in the world – because of its historic stature as the second official postage stamp ever produced. Even the fact it was hardly used has failed to dampen its legendary standing. Whilst most of these stamps are not worth more than a ...

The Penny Black is renowned for being the world’s first stamp. It’s undoubtedly the most famous of all stamps - and one which every collector aspires to own. Famed for its fine engraving and timeless simplicity, this beautiful stamp has an intriguing philatelic history. ...

Collecting military medals will always have an enduring appeal because it is such a great way to discover about history and the important roles people have played. Offering a unique insight into past events of major significance, medals are a lasting tribute to the sacrifices made by soldiers who have fought in c...

Collecting diecast model cars is a great way for car enthusiasts to own the models they love. Whilst buying the full-size vehicle is often financially out of reach, owning a detailed replica represents the best way to acquire a piece of automotive history. Popular with people of all ages, the pastime firs...

Hammered coinage is the most common form of coins made since money was invented. Archaeological evidence suggests that hammered coins were first produced during the first millennium BC. Hammered coins were produced by placing a blank piece of metal, known as a planchet or flan, between two dies so the required pa...

Commemorative coins are issued by the Royal Mint to celebrate a national event of significant importance. In most cases, but not exclusively, the proceedings are royal occasions such as a Diamond Jubilee or Royal Wedding. Rarely are these coins found in everyday circulation, as they’re intended to b...

With over 8 million British and Commonwealth men and women serving in World War One, and another 10 million proudly doing likewise in WW2, there are literally millions of British war medals in circulation. In our experience, there are also millions of British War Medal and ...

Selling stamps isn’t always easy. It’s a highly-specialist area which is often confusing and complex to understand. In our experience, this is especially true for novices who may have inherited a treasured collection. ...