Submissions to the CCG London office will be handled by NGC International.
CCG is the umbrella group for a number of firms involved in the grading of a wide variety of numismatic collectables.
Last year CCG appointed Heritage Auctions’ London office as an ‘Official Submission Center’, which means staff will assist collectors and dealers with submissions to any CCG company.
The Florida firm’s expansion is its latest around the world. It already has offices in Munich, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as 14 ‘Official Submission Centers’ around the world.
Steven R Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, said: “The UK is not only home to a significant number of coin, banknote and comic book collectors and dealers, but it is also a hub for collectors and dealers who travel from other areas, such as Russia, India and the Middle East.”
Royal Mint expands collector services
Another company to expand into the UK historic coin market is The Royal Mint.
It has launched an authentication and valuation service which is available via its website. The organisation, which has operated as a limited company solely owned by HM Treasury since 2010, is offering clients three levels of service for their pre-decimal British coins (ie before 1971), each attracting a different fee:
- ‘Online’: a simple online valuation with brief details based on a clear image of the coin attached to the enquiry – £10
- Standard: a more detailed inspection of the coin drawing on The Royal Mint’s archive and technology along with a telephone call to discuss your enquiry in more detail – £100
- Premium: a higher level of research, evaluation and authentication. The Royal Mint’s experts will speak with you and create a full report on your coin or coins. You also receive a Royal Mint certificate signed by the deputy master of the Mint – £200
The Royal Mint says it is “well placed to help coin collectors gain a deeper understanding of their coins” and this move extends its existing collector services which include secure storage. It is also planning to introduce a ‘care and display’ facility in March to help collectors with presenting and protecting their coins.
CEO of The Royal Mint Anne Jessopp said: “As a trusted organisation with an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1000 years, customers have been asking us to value and authenticate their pre-decimal coins for some time.
“Following the announcement this year that we will be growing our presence in the collector services market, I am delighted that we are launching a service that makes the respected opinion of our experts more easily accessible for our customers.”
This latest move follows other commercial ventures since the 1100-year-old institution, which can trace its origins back to Alfred the Great, became a limited company. These include the launch of a bullion-trading website, a visitor centre at its headquarters in Glamorgan and a partnership with derivatives marketplace Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Last year it was also announced that as part of a five-year plan to grow its interest in the coin-collecting market, The Royal Mint has taken a share in Mayfair numismatic dealership Sovereign Rarities.
The Royal Mint remains under contract to supply all coinage for the UK and maintains one of the finest collections of coins in its museum.
Royal Mint Valuation Service – Q&A
Is the valuation/authentication service only for British coins?
Yes, Pre-decimal British coins only.. for now
Do clients using the Standard or Premium checks need to send their coins in to be examined?
Yes, coins will need to be sent to us so we can conduct our full range of tests using our state of the art equipment combined with the expertise and archives from The Royal Mint Museum.
Is there any ‘grading’ for the condition of the coins and would the certificates give reference to this?
Yes, as part of the full report the coins will be described, graded and put in a secure holder matching it to our certificate of authenticity.
Is there any connection between this initiative and the stake the Royal Mint acquired in Sovereign Rarities last year ?
The Royal Mint will be using the widest range of resources available to it thus giving the most comprehensive authentication service available for British coins.
