Valuation Service

Free online coin valuation

I am pleased to offer a free online coin valuation service for your coins or artefacts that you have found.

Free online coin valuation by Peter D Spencer
Rights: Portable Antiquities Scheme CC2.0

As you can see from my biography, I have been involved in the identification and valuation of coins for many years. In most cases, I offer a free online coin valuation for most of the finds that I publish on detecting finds. The figures I provide are usually what I consider to be the likely pre-sale auction estimates on coins and artefacts. Please also contact me if you have a coin or other artefact that you would just like me to identify.

For a free online coin valuation, simply upload a photograph of your find on my Contact page.

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Free online coin valuation report

Have a look at my recent valuations or my valuation archive to see the type of report that I write. I will give as full an identification as I can depending on the condition of the coin.

I like to name the finder in the report that I publish. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous or use a detecting alias, just let me know when you send in your photographs.

Images

The valuations and identifications are in line with the images that you send me. I have said on a number of occasions that a camera cannot lie. However, it can give a false impression of what something actually looks like ‘in the hand’. Therefore, images should ensure that they do give a true impression of the state of preservation of their finds.

Advice on photographing your coin

Focus

There are two main things to do when photographing your coin or artefact. Firstly, please make sure it is in focus. There is a lot we can do with an image to improve it but we can’t correct an out of focus image. Your camera on your phone will try to autofocus. It will do this best if the coin is the only thing in the image. So, take the photograph against a plain background and make the coin fill as much of the image as you can.

Camera parallel to the coin

Secondly, make sure your camera is parallel to the coin. This will avoid the image becoming distorted.

Otherwise, we can correct other things, ready for publication: remove the background, put the coins the right way up, adjust the lighting levels (to some degree) and make both sides of the coin the same size.

We also love to receive any other photographs of the coin: in your hand is good to illustrate the size or when you dug it up, for example.

Size and Weight

Some coins and artefacts share the same design but come in different sizes and metals. Therefore, please provide details of the size and the metal. If it is an gold or silver artefact, then let me know the weight, if you can. This could have a bearing on its value.

Treasure

Reporting treasure

The Treasure Act 1996 applies to finds after 24 September 1997. You should report treasure finds within 14 days of finding them. There are two main tests to determine if an item is treasure. Is it over 300 years old when found? Does it contain at least 10% precious metal (gold or silver)? If the answer is “yes” to both of these, then a single artefact, and more than one coin found together is treasure. For a full definition of treasure see ADVICE FOR FINDERS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBJECTS, INCLUDING TREASURE. The best way to report treasure is to contact your local Finds Liaison Officer (FLO).

If you have any doubt as to whether an item is treasure, ask me or your FLO for advice.

Finds that have been through the treasure process

People sometimes ask me to do valuations on Treasure finds that have gone through the system and a provisional valuation has been placed upon them. The finder, landowner or the museum that wants to acquire a find all have the right to challenge the valuation figure, if they think it is incorrect. I will give my opinion on whether or not I believe the figure is in line with the market value. If I think it is correct then, I will say so. If I think it is too low then I can put together the paperwork required to challenge the provisional valuation.

I can also value Treasure finds that have gone through the system and then been disclaimed. In this case, it is usually the finder or the landowner who wants to keep a find and pay 50% of the value to the other party. However, my minimum charge for this is normally £20. However, do get in touch to discuss.

Finds currently going through the treasure process

Please note that I do not provide valuations on items that have been reported as Treasure but are still going through the procedure. My advice in such cases is to simply let matters run their course. If a museum wants to acquire the item in question then the finder will eventually receive a provisional valuation. If no museum wants it then it will be disclaimed. The time to seek an independent valuation is if the finder thinks the provisional valuation does not reflect the true market value.

Free online coin valuation

If you would like a free online coin valuation, please contact me

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