Spink & Son

Spink & Son is one of the oldest auction houses in the world, with a lineage that stretches back to 1666 when John Spink established his business as a goldsmith and pawnbroker on Lombard Street in London. The firm survived the Great Fire of London in its very first year of existence and has operated continuously for more than three and a half centuries, making it one of the longest-running commercial enterprises in Britain. Today, Spink is headquartered at 67-69 Southampton Row in London and maintains offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Switzerland, serving a truly global clientele of collectors, institutions, and investors. The early history of Spink is intertwined with the development of London's financial and mercantile districts. In 1770, the company relocated to Gracechurch Street, expanding its trade in jewelry and coins. By 1772, the firm was formally established as Spink & Son, a name that would become synonymous with numismatic and philatelic excellence. The nineteenth century saw Spink grow into a major force in the medal and decorations market. In 1880, the company purchased the Soho Mint and began designing and manufacturing medals, a capability that earned them their first Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1900 for medal services. The firm currently holds a Royal Warrant from King Charles III for ceremonial insignia and medals. Spink's auction and dealing activities span several highly specialized collecting categories. Their numismatic department is one of the most respected in the world, with experts covering British hammered and milled coinage, ancient Greek and Roman coins, Indian and Islamic numismatics, and world coins of every period. The coin department operates from Spink's centrally located London showroom, which maintains a permanent display of coins available for private sale alongside their regular auction schedule. The philatelic department at Spink is equally distinguished. Their stamp specialists offer an annual calendar of wide-ranging auctions encompassing general sales, specialist single-country auctions, and prestigious single-owner collection sales. Spink's stamp auctions have regularly achieved record-breaking prices, with material spanning the entire history of philately from the earliest adhesive postage stamps to modern rarities. The department handles stamps from every corner of the globe, with particular strength in British Commonwealth, European, and Asian philately. Spink's medal department has been buying and selling military decorations and campaign medals since they first appeared after the Napoleonic Wars. The firm conducts three major medal auctions per year, typically in April, July, and November, and is recognized worldwide as one of the top auction houses for orders, decorations, and medals. Their expertise extends to gallantry awards, long service medals, campaign groups, and historically significant collections with documented provenance. Beyond these core categories, Spink also handles banknotes, bonds and shares, autographs, books, and lifestyle collectibles. Their banknote department covers world paper money from the earliest issues to modern commemoratives, while their bonds and shares department is one of the few in the world dedicated to scripophily, the collecting of historical stock and bond certificates. The ownership history of Spink reflects the evolving auction market. In 1993, Christie's acquired the firm, creating a close partnership between the two houses. Christie's subsequently sold its remaining interest in 2002, returning Spink to independent ownership. This independence has allowed Spink to focus exclusively on their specialist categories without the pressure to compete in the broader fine art market dominated by the major generalist auction houses. Spink's auction process is designed for both experienced collectors and newcomers. Bidding is available in person at their London saleroom, by telephone, by written bid, and through their online bidding platform. The firm produces detailed printed catalogs for all major sales, with expert descriptions, provenance information, and high-quality photography. Their online presence includes a comprehensive archive of past auction results, a retail shop for immediate purchases, and regularly updated news about upcoming sales and market trends. The buyer's premium at Spink varies by auction and is stated in the terms for each individual sale. Sellers considering consigning to Spink can contact the relevant department for a free assessment and commission quote. The firm also offers private treaty sales for clients who prefer a discreet, off-market transaction. Spink's client base includes many of the world's most important private collectors, national museums, central banks, and military institutions. Their position as a Royal Warrant holder and their centuries of expertise give them unique access to significant collections and estates. The firm regularly handles material of national and international importance, including coins and medals from royal collections and artifacts of major historical significance. For collectors considering Spink, the key advantages are their unmatched depth of specialist expertise, their global reach through offices in four major cities, and their centuries-long reputation for integrity and discretion. Whether you are looking to buy a single coin, sell a lifetime collection of stamps, or have a military medal group valued, Spink offers a level of knowledge and service that few competitors can match. Common questions about Spink include whether they handle material beyond their core categories (yes, including books, autographs, and wine), whether valuations are free (initial assessments are typically provided at no charge), and how to participate in their auctions from outside the UK (online bidding is available worldwide, and their New York and Hong Kong offices serve regional clients directly).