Striking Gold

A modest coin collection can become a great investment over time

- Amy Noton

Offering a fascinating window into the past, coin collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, with rare and valuable coins often selling for hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

‘The coin market has always been buoyant,’ says Don Collins, coin valuer at Hansons Auctioneers. ‘Much like fine art, rare coins are very popular with investors and that is what keeps prices high. I’ve been involved in numismatics since the 1960s and can remember when a sovereign was valued at £3; they’re now worth around £230.’