H.D. Rauch

About H.D. Rauch

H.D. Rauch is a Vienna auction house for coins, medals, orders and stamps. It is based at Graben 15, in the centre of Vienna near the Plague Column. The same building houses a shop for buying and selling collectibles and for gold trading.

The house has more than ten staff. It is a member of the Association of German Coin Dealers (VddM), the Association of Swiss Professional Numismatists (VSBN) and the Federal Association of German Stamp Dealers (APHV). It guarantees the authenticity of all items it offers.

History

Hans Dieter Rauch is a stamp dealer by trade. He runs the Austrophil stamp auction house, which his father founded in 1948. On a trip to Israel he was shown a large collection of ancient Jewish coins, and with the help of an experienced Vienna coin dealer he organised his first coin auction.

That sale took place in Vienna in June 1969 and marked the start of the H.D. Rauch auction house. The house has since held more than 120 coin auctions and more than 180 stamp auctions.

• 1948: The Austrophil stamp auction house is founded
• 1969: H.D. Rauch holds its first coin auction in Vienna
• 2026: The 122nd coin auction takes place in June

What H.D. Rauch sells

Coins are the main business. The house covers ancient coins, the coinage of the Holy Roman Empire and world coins and medals. It describes Hans Dieter Rauch as one of the best-known experts on the coinage of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburgs.

• Coins: Ancient, Holy Roman Empire, Habsburg and world coins
• Gold coins: Including investment gold
• Medals and orders: Held in separate order auctions
• Stamps: Philately sales

Selling at H.D. Rauch

You can deliver coins in person or ship them after contacting the house, whose insurance covers the transport. The coins are scanned, and the scans form part of the auction contract. The experts write the descriptions and set the starting prices, which are minimum prices, not estimates.

The commission is 20% of the hammer price, and it is negotiated for special pieces or collections. A consignment should be worth at least €500. Sellers are paid within 42 days after the auction, and the consignment deadline is two to three months before the sale.

Buying and bidding

H.D. Rauch holds two live floor auctions of coins a year, in spring and December, plus online e-auctions and two stamp auctions. You can bid in the room, by written or online absentee bid, by telephone for lots starting at €100 or more, or live online. Live bidders see every bid in euros and US dollars and can hear the auctioneer.

The premium depends on how the lot is taxed. Margin-scheme lots carry 22% on the hammer price, including the buyer's premium and VAT. VAT-exempt gold coins carry an 18.5% premium, and imported coins carry 18.5% plus 20% VAT.

• Exports outside the EU: 20% premium with no VAT
• Credit card payments: 4.5% surcharge
• Unsold lots: Can be bought after the sale at the starting price plus the usual premium

Location and viewing

The auction rooms and the shop are at Graben 15, 1010 Vienna, where the auction house takes up more than 150 square metres. Floor bidders can view lots before and during the auction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the buyer's premium at H.D. Rauch?

Margin-scheme lots carry 22% on the hammer price, including VAT. VAT-exempt gold coins carry 18.5%, and buyers outside the EU pay 20% with no VAT on exports.

How much commission does H.D. Rauch charge sellers?

The commission is 20% of the hammer price. It is negotiated for special pieces or collections, and a consignment should be worth at least €500.

How often does H.D. Rauch hold coin auctions?

It holds two live coin auctions a year, in spring and December, plus online e-auctions. It also holds two stamp auctions a year.