Spink & Son

About Spink & Son

Spink & Son is one of the oldest auction houses in the world, with a lineage stretching 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 first year and has operated continuously for more than three and a half centuries, making it one of the longest-running commercial enterprises in Britain. Spink is now headquartered at 67-69 Southampton Row in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Switzerland serving a global clientele of collectors, institutions, and investors.

History

In 1770 the company relocated to Gracechurch Street, expanding its trade in jewelry and coins, and by 1772 it was formally established as Spink & Son. In the nineteenth century Spink grew into a major force in the medal and decorations market: in 1880 it purchased the Soho Mint and began designing and manufacturing medals, earning its 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.

Ownership has also evolved. Christie's acquired Spink in 1993, creating a close partnership between the two houses, then sold its remaining interest in 2002, returning Spink to independent ownership and allowing it to focus exclusively on its specialist categories.

Specialist departments

Spink's coin department is one of the most respected in the world, with experts in British hammered and milled coinage, ancient Greek and Roman coins, Indian and Islamic numismatics, and world coins of every period, operating from a London showroom with a permanent display of coins for private sale. The philatelic department offers an annual calendar of wide-ranging auctions, encompassing general sales, specialist single-country auctions, and prestigious single-owner collection sales, with material spanning the entire history of philately from the earliest adhesive postage stamps to modern rarities and particular strength in British Commonwealth, European, and Asian material. Spink's stamp auctions have regularly achieved record-breaking prices.

The medal department has bought and sold military decorations and campaign medals since they first appeared after the Napoleonic Wars, conducting three major medal auctions a year, typically in April, July, and November, and is recognized worldwide as one of the top auction houses for orders, decorations, and medals. Its expertise extends to gallantry awards, long service medals, campaign groups, and historically significant collections with documented provenance.

• Coins: British hammered and milled coinage, ancient Greek and Roman coins, Indian and Islamic numismatics, and world coins
• Stamps and philately, from the earliest adhesive postage stamps to modern rarities
• Medals, orders, and decorations, including gallantry awards, long service medals, and campaign groups
• Banknotes, world paper money from the earliest issues to modern commemoratives
• Bonds and shares (scripophily), autographs, books, and lifestyle collectibles

Buying and bidding

Bidding is available in person at Spink's London saleroom, by telephone, by written bid, and through the firm's online bidding platform. Spink produces detailed printed catalogs for all major sales, with expert descriptions, provenance information, and high-quality photography, and its website offers a comprehensive archive of past auction results, a retail shop for immediate purchases, and regularly updated news about upcoming sales and market trends.

Selling with Spink

The buyer's premium 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, and 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. As a Royal Warrant holder with centuries of expertise, it has unique access to significant collections and estates, and 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 its unmatched depth of specialist expertise, its global reach through offices in four major cities, and its centuries-long reputation for integrity and discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spink handle material beyond coins, stamps, and medals?

Yes, including books, autographs, and wine.

Are valuations free?

Initial assessments are typically provided at no charge.

Can collectors outside the UK take part in Spink's auctions?

Yes, online bidding is available worldwide, and the New York and Hong Kong offices serve regional clients directly.