Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Using the Website

Do I need to register each time I want to use the website?

No, once you have registered to use the Baldwin's website you will simply need to login using the username and password you have chosen.

Auctions

How many Auctions do you hold annually?

We hold between nine and twelve auctions altogether which includes our 2 main London auctions, 3 smaller argentums auctions in conjunction with the London Coin Fair and 4 overseas Auctions (2 New York Sales and 2 Hong Kong Auctions). We also hold regular specialist Islamic coin auctions throughout the year.

Please see our calendar of forthcoming auctions for more details.

When is the next Baldwin's auction?

Please see our calendar of Forthcoming Auctions for more details about our up and coming auctions.

How can I bid with Baldwin's?

We have put together a comprehensive guide for all new bidders that you find in the 'Help' section of our website but, if you have any further questions about bidding with us then please do not hesitate to contact our auctions department on +44 (0)20 7930 9808.

How do I bid online with Baldwin's?

We have put together a step by step guide for all our bidders who are new to online bidding which can be accessed here but if you have any further questions about bidding with us then please do not hesitate to contact our auctions department on +44 (0)20 7930 9808.

For all technical queries or if you require assistance connecting to the live bidding platform please contact our live auctions service provider www.the-saleroom.com on +44(0)780 162 1411 or at support@atgmedia.com

Is it possible to amend a bid once it has been submitted?

Yes, you can change or cancel a bid up to 24 hours prior to an auction by emailing us at bids@baldwin.co.uk or by phoning us on +44(0)20 7930 9808. If you email us but don't receive confirmation from a member of our staff that your email has been received then please make sure you call us to check that we have amended or cancelled your bid.

Will the auctioneer automatically execute my maximum bid?

If you submit a bid to be executed on your behalf by the auctioneer then the auctioneer will always try to purchase the lot on your behalf as cheaply as possible against all other competition. You can follow the bidding online and hear the auctioneer execute your bid by going to www.the-saleroom.com/baldwins

How many lots do you aim to sell per hour?

We usually sell around 170 lots per hour but please only use this as a rough guide as the pace of the auction can fluctuate rapidly depending on the speed of your fellow bidders and we cannot be held responsible if you miss your lot. We always advise that you leave plenty of time to get to the auction venue if you intend to bid in person, please remember that you will need to register for the sale before you can bid and this will take a few minutes when you arrive.

Do I need to make an appointment to come in and view auction lots?

Yes, for all UK auctions, although we do have at least one day for public viewing before each of sale. Lots for our London auctions (including the sales we run in conjunction with St. James's Auctions) are available to view by appointment only during the two weeks preceding the sale and lots for our argentum auctions are only available to view one week prior to the auction. All viewing will take place at our London premises. Please contact our auctions department on +44(0)20 7930 9808 to make an appointment.

Viewing for our overseas auctions takes place in the 3 days prior to each sale and is open to the public on each of these days. For these auctions you do not need to make an appointment and location details are available on our website or inside each of the relevant catalogues.

How can I find out if I have won a lot?

We send invoices to all successful bidders by regular mail no later than two working days after the auction has ended and our Prices Realised are available online from our website the morning after the sale.

How long after the Auction will I receive my invoice?

We aim to send out invoices within two workings days of the auction once results have been audited and verified.

How can I pay for the items won at auction?

We accept payment for all auction lots by credit/debit card, bank transfer or by cheque. Exchange rates for payments in other currencies are set by the auctioneer and you will need to contact our office if you wish to make a payment in a different currecy from that stated on your invoice. Additional charges for payment by credit card or by bank transfer will be detailed on your invoice, along with a charge for insurance and shipping. Please note, if you choose to settle your invoice by bank transfer you will need to send an email to auctions@baldwin.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)20 7930 9808 to advise us that the payment has been made.

Is it possible to pay for my auction purchases online?

No, it is not possible to pay auction invoices online. Please follow the instructions on your invoice or call us on +44 (0)20 7930 9808.

How much do I pay?

Buyers pay the purchase price (hammer price plus buyer's premium) and any value added tax (VAT) that may be due.

How soon after the auction can I collect my items?

You can collect lots purchased at auction as soon as you have settled your invoice from our premises at:

11 Adelphi Terrace
London
WC2N 6BJ

What can I do if I can't collect purchases in the week after the auction?

All auction lots should be collected or shipped within 7 days of the auction. If items are not removed within 7 days of purchase A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd reserves the right to charge storage and to resell the items by auction or privately, without notice to the buyer.

How will my auction lots be sent to me?

Successful bidders are expected to make their own arrangements for shipping of items purchased through our auctions. If you choose to have your items shipped to you by Baldwin's your lots will be sent via Special Delivery for those who live within the UK. This allows us to keep track of your parcel and compensates the package in case it goes missing. You are guaranteed by Royal Mail to receive this before 1pm the next working day, however Baldwin's cannot be held responsible for items that are delayed by Royal Mail.

Purchasers that live overseas will have their lots sent via 'International Signed For' delivery. Again, all items are tracked but only until they leave the UK - once they have left the UK the purchaser can track the item through the relevant postal system website using the tracking number provided by Baldwin's.

If you have purchased numerous lots from our auction or the value of your items is exceptionally high we encourage you to have your items couriered using Fed Ex (Overseas) or Parcel Force (Overseas and UK). Prices for postage and packaging by this method will be higher so please contact a member of Baldwin's staff on +44(0)20 7930 9808 for a quote.

We do not have the facility to ship large items so you will therefore need to make alternative arrangements.

Many of our clients use the following shipping service for such items:

www.albanshipping.co.uk

Alban Shipping
Unit 4
Premier Business Park
Dencora Way
Luton
Bedfordshire LU3 3HP.
Tel: 01582 493099
Fax: 01582 490147

Email: info@albanshipping.co.uk

How long after the Auction will I receive my Auction Lots?

Once we have received full payment in settlement of your invoice we aim to get your lots to you as soon as possible. Royal Mail's target time is within 3 working days for packages going to countries in Western Europe, 4 working days to Eastern Europe and 5 working days for the Rest of the World however Baldwin's cannot be held responsible for items that are delayed by Royal Mail or any other postal service.

We try to send out every lot as quickly as possible after an auction but this is entirely dependant on the volume of items being dispatched by our packaging department. We ask you to be patient at peak times.

How quickly are Results (Prices Realised) published after the auction?

Provisional results are available at the end of each auction but no prices or successful bidders can be confirmed at this stage. Finalised results will be posted on our website on the morning of the day after the auction and we encourage all auction participants to check the results online once they are available.

Shop

How can I pay for items bought online?

Full payment details can be found in our Terms and Conditions for Website Use and Website Sales.

Can I return items if they are not as expected?

Coins bought through our website can be returned within 7 days of purchase and, in accordance with Baldwin's standard guarantee, coins can be returned if proven false at any time for a full refund.

Is it possible to receive additional images of items?

Unfortunately further images may not always be available upon request. We pride ourselves on putting the very highest quality of image available onto the website in the first instance and all images can be expanded using the zoom facility available.

Do I need to make an appointment to come in and view shop coins?

You do not need to make an appointment to view the shop coins although during auction periods we are very busy with viewing and specialists may not always be available, therefore appointments are encouraged.

How will items purchased online be sent to me? (i.e. By what method will they be sent)

If you choose to have your items shipped to you by Baldwin's your lots will be sent via Special Delivery for those who live within the UK. This allows us to keep track of your parcel and compensates the package in case it goes missing.

Those that live overseas will have their lots sent via International 'Signed For' delivery. Again all items are tracked but only until they leave the UK - once they have left the UK the purchaser can track the item through the relevant postal system.

If you have purchased numerous items from us or the value of your items is exceptionally high we encourage you to have the goods couriered using Fed Ex (Overseas) or Parcel Force (Overseas and UK). Prices for postage and packaging by this method will be higher so please contact our retail department on +44(0)20 7930 6879 for a quote.

We do not have the facility to ship large items so you will therefore need to make alternative arrangements.

For larger lots shipping can be arranged through Alban Shipping:

www.albanshipping.co.uk

Alban Shipping
Unit 4
Premier Business Park
Dencora Way
Luton
Bedfordshire LU3 3HP.

Tel: 01582 493099
Fax: 01582 490147

Email: info@albanshipping.co.uk

Full shipping details can be found in our Terms and Conditions for Website Use and Website Sales.

How long will it take for me to receive items purchased online if I live outside of the UK?

Collectibles will normally be dispatched as soon as payment is received, usually within 5-10 working days and any estimated dispatch date is a an estimate, which can change without notice.

Royal Mail's target time for overseas packages is within 3 working days for packages going to countries in Western Europe, 4 working days to Eastern Europe and 5 working days for the Rest of the World, however Baldwin's cannot be held responsible for items that are delayed by Royal Mail.

Full shipping details can be found in our Terms and Conditions for Website Use and Website Sales.

Do you buy and sell Bullion or Kruger rand Coins?

No, we do not sell or buy Bullion or Kruger rand coins. The nearest retail outlet to Baldwin's is ATS Bullion Ltd who can be found at:

ATS Bullion Ltd
No. 2 Savoy Court
Strand
London
WC2R 0EZ

Tel: +44(0)207 240 4040
www.atsbullion.com

Valuations, Appraisals and Consignments

What type of collectibles do you buy and sell?

• - Commemorative Medals

• - Byzantine Coins

• - Indian Coins

• - Islamic Coins

• - Military Medals, Orders and Decorations

• - Ancient Greek Coins

• - Roman Coins

• - Modern Greek Coins

• - English Hammered and Milled Coins

• - European and Latin American Coins

• - Tokens and Banknotes

• - Russian Coins

• - Oriental and Colonial Coins

• - Numismatic Books

If you have any of the above that you would like to submit for sale please contact the relevant specialist on +44(0)20 7930 6879 or at coins@baldwin.co.uk.

We will require images of the material you would like us to value.

Do I have to bring items in to Baldwin's to have them valued?

It is always preferable for our specialists to see items in the flesh; however, it is possible for us to value items from high resolution images and descriptions of the goods.

Please contact the relevant specialist on +44(0)20 7930 6879 or at coins@baldwin.co.uk.

You can find details of all our specialists here.

If you do intend to bring your goods in to our premises we do advise that you make an appointment wherever possible to ensure the most appropriate specialist is available to see you. Please contact us on +44(0)20 7930 6879 to schedule a date.

How will I know which auction my lots will be sold in?

Our specialists will advise you when they accept your items which sale they are likely to be entered in to and once they have been submitted to one of our auctions you will receive a Vendor Advice Notice, together with a copy of the relevant catalogue, advising you of the lots that have been entered and the estimates applied to these. Your specialist consultant will speak with you about reserve prices at the time of consignment but if you haven't placed reserves on your lots please be advised that Baldwin's will never sell an item at less than 80% of the low estimate.

Does Baldwin's undertake home visits?

If your collection is too extensive to send to us then Baldwin's may undertake a home visit within the UK to value and collect items. Please contact our auctions department on +44(0)20 7930 9808 to speak to a member of our staff.

Our specialists attend international events throughout the year and are available to undertake valuations and give you specialist advice. Please contact our main swirchboard on +44(0)20 7930 6879 for more details.

How will Baldwin's deal with my unsold lots?

Any lots that remain unsold after an auction will automatically be included in the next suitable auction unless the vendor requests them to be returned. Baldwin's will enter items into a maximum of 3 auctions and will contact you after the third sale in the unlikely event that an item remains unsold.

Catalogues

Is it possible to receive additional images of items?

Baldwin's illustrate as many lots in an auction as possible and all illustrations appear in high resolution on our website or at www.sixbid.com. All images can be enlarged using our zoom facility. If you cannot find an image online then unfortunately we may not be able to provide you with one.

Can I purchase past sale catalogues?

Yes, we hold an archive of all our past catalogues which can be ordered online from our website, if they are listed, or from our Numismatic book specialist Caroline Holmes at caroline@baldwin.co.uk.

About Us

Where are you based? What is the nearest tube/train station?

We are based 5 minutes away from Charing Cross train/tube station. The nearest tube stations are Embankment and Charing Cross.

You will find more information about how to find us here.

Are you open on Saturday?

No our regular office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Do you sell Numismatic Books?

Yes we do sell Numismatic Books, both new and second-hand.