RARE gold coins brought to an auction valuation day in Kenilworth left an expert dazzled.
Coin valuer William Hayward could not believe his eyes when more than 50 rare silver and gold coins – dating as far back as 1328 and potentially worth thousands of pounds – were brought to the Hansons Auctioneers-organised day at St Francis Church Hall.
He said: “It was the sort of find I’d always dreamed about but never thought I’d see. I could hardly believe my eyes – such was the rarity and value of some of the coins. They spanned seven centuries from 1328 to 1935. It really was my best golden moment ever.
“The client who bought them along had inherited them from a relative who was a lifelong collector and, although he knew they were gold, he didn’t realise just how special many of them were. Collectively, they could sell for around £15,000 at auction.”
The collection includes an 1887 proof set of 11 gold and silver coins ranging in value from threepence to £5, plus 40 gold coins ranging from 1328 to 1935. The set consists of 20 English coins including a rare King William III and Queen Mary half guinea from 1693.
In addition, 40 foreign coins including examples of Russian roubles from 1898, a half escudo from Spain dated 1744 and a Hollandia Ducat from 1770.
The oldest coin, which dated back nearly 700 years, was an Edward III quarter noble from 1328.
“It’s just so rare to see a collection like this,” added Mr Hayward. “It was a once-in-a-blue moon event. Not only that, the coins were all in excellent condition.”
They are set to go under the hammer at a Hansons auction later this month.
* Hansons hold monthly free valuation events at St Francis Church Hall in Kenilworth. The next is on March 12 from 10am to 4pm.
Visit hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/for further details.
