A group of coins collected by a gentleman over the past few years in his retirement are estimated to sell for £15,000 in the Charterhouse auction of coins, medals and stamps on Thursday 10th March.
“I have had a 50 year interest in coin collecting, first as a young lad and now as a collector, auctioneer and valuer.” Commented Richard Bromell. “When he walked in to our reception I spied the coin chest and hoped to see some good coins but what I saw was in fact were some really great coins.”
The owner, a retired carpenter from Cornwall, drove to Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne, Dorset to take advantage of free specialist coin, medals and stamp valuation day. Having collected the coins over the past few years he is now thinking of moving house and downsizing and has decided to let another collector enjoy the coins.
The star lot in the collection is a 1740 George II gold two guinea coin. Worth £2 2 shillings in 1740 this was huge sum on money when new, at a time when a farm worker earned 10d a day, only the very wealthy would have ever seen such a coin. Today, this two guinea is estimated at £3,000-4,000.
The collection is quite eclectic with coins from the reigns of James II through to Queen Elizabeth II. There are gold, silver, copper and cupro-nickel coins with denominations including the two guinea, a double sovereign, sovereigns, half sovereigns, crowns, half crowns, double florins, florins, shillings and even pennies.
However, it is not always age which means value with coins. In the collection, there is a George V 1934 crown. With only 932 1934 crowns minted this is one of the rarest crowns produced in the 20th century. Although being 194 years younger than the 1740 two guinea gold coin and made of silver, this is nonetheless estimated at £2,000-3,000. Overall, the collection of coins is estimated to sell for £15,000.
The coins form part of the Charterhouse two day auction of coins, medals, stamps, toys and other collector’s items on Thursday 10th & Friday 11th March. All the lots are can be seen on www.charterhouse-auction.com where live internet bidding is also available. Alternatively, you can call into the salerooms to view the sale on Monday 7th to Thursday 10th.
Charterhouse are now taking entries for their busy programme of specialist auctions in April with automobilia, Asian Art, pictures, sporting items and books followed by silver, jewellery, watches, with wine, port & whisky in May.
Specialist Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse can be contacted for advice and valuations on single items and collections at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 info@charterhouse-auction.com or via www.charterhouse-auction.com
Coins worth a Mint from the collection
1740 George II gold two guinea coin £3,000-4,000
1934 George V silver crown coin £2,000-3,000
1887 Queen Victorian gold two sovereign coin £700-1,000
Some of the crowns in one of the collectors tray in the coin chest