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Frequently Asked Questions

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I’ve got a few old coins. Shall I show them to you?

To determine the exact value, the coins must first be identified and their condition assessed.

When carrying out a valuation, we take into account, amongst other things, rarity, year of issue, proof quality, variant, condition, demand and current market conditions.

Yes. A coin’s value is not determined solely by its age. Rarity, the year of issue, the mint mark, the variant, the condition and the level of demand can all be important factors.

If you are unsure whether your coins have any numismatic value, it is worth showing them to an expert.

They’re useful for getting an idea, but it’s best to treat online advertising prices with a pinch of salt.

The advertised price is not the same as the amount for which the coin in question is actually sold.

There may be a significant difference in value between two coins that appear identical, depending on their year of issue, mint mark, variant, rarity or condition.

Not at all.

Cleaning – even if the coin looks better afterwards – can significantly reduce its numismatic value. The natural patina, the original surface and the remaining mint lustre are, in many cases, an important part of the coin’s value.

It is best to display the coins just as they are.

Yes.

If you find it difficult to bring the coins or the collection in person, please start by sending a few good-quality photographs to numismatica@procopius.hu.

With larger collections, it is not necessary to photograph every single item individually. To begin with, it is best to send overview photographs that clearly show the collection as a whole, as well as a few items that you consider to be particularly interesting or valuable.

In many cases, we can already tell from the photographs whether a physical search is warranted.

 

Important: Any initial assessment based on photographs is for information purposes only. To accurately identify a coin and determine its condition and value, it may be necessary to examine the item in person.

We offer in-store fitting appointments.

For larger collections, we recommend that you book an appointment in advance so that we can set aside sufficient time to examine the material thoroughly and at our leisure.

Venue:
Procopius Numismatics
1052 Budapest, V. district
Petőfi Sándor street 16.

Booking an appointment:
+36 30 397 6748
numismatica@procopius.hu

Coins and collections can be handed in and valued from Monday to Thursday between 11.00 and 17.00.

For larger collections, we recommend booking an appointment in advance.

It is not usually necessary.

With a larger collection, this can be extremely time-consuming, whereas an experienced numismatist can quickly assess the composition of the collection and identify the items that require closer examination.

You don’t need to specify every coin in advance – that’s our job.

No. We also deal in Hungarian and foreign coins, historical coins, gold and silver coins, and other numismatic items.

If you have a large or specialised collection, it is a good idea to send photographs in advance.

Yes. We also specialise in the valuation, purchase and auction sale of Hungarian and foreign paper banknotes.

With banknotes, rarity, variant and condition can be just as important as they are with coins.

Yes. We deal in gold and silver coins of numismatic value, as well as precious metal coins intended for investment purposes.

It is important to note that the value of an old gold coin is not necessarily the same as the value of the gold it contains. The numismatic value of a rare coin or one in exceptional condition may significantly exceed the value of its precious metal content.

If the material is suitable for us, we can also make a direct purchase offer.

However, direct purchase is not always the best option. For rarer, more unusual items or those in exceptional condition, an auction may offer a more favourable way of selling them.

It always depends on the particular coin or collection.

Direct purchase is quick and predictable. However, in the case of rare, sought-after or exceptional-quality items, an auction may well yield a better result.

At Procopius Numismatics, you do not need to decide this in advance. After examining your collection, we will advise you on which items might be best sold directly and which are better suited to auction.

We professionally assess, catalogue and photograph items suitable for auction, and then list them for sale at the auction.

In the case of rarer and more significant items, the advantage of an auction is that several interested parties can bid against one another for the same coin, meaning that its final price is determined by the market.

Yes. Our auctions are open not only to Hungarian collectors but also to international collectors.

This may be particularly important in the case of rare Hungarian or foreign coins which are also of interest to international collectors.

First, we’ll take a general look at the coins or the collection as a whole, and then we’ll examine the pieces of greater numismatic importance in more detail.

The aim is not simply to quote a price, but to identify those coins which possess genuine numismatic significance and value.

No problem.

A valuation does not mean that you are obliged to sell the coins or the collection. Following the appraisal, you decide whether to keep the items, sell them directly or put them up for auction.

No.

Even a single coin may be of numismatic interest or significant value, whilst a large quantity of coins does not necessarily represent any great value.

What matters is not the number of coins, but exactly what sort of coins they are.

If you’re unsure, it’s worth showing it to someone.

PROCOPIUS NUMISMATICS

Expert valuation • Coin purchasing • Auction sales

The valuation is carried out in person by Péter Molnár, a numismatist and co-author of the Hungarian Coin Catalogue.

Procopius Numismatic Ltd.
1052 Budapest, 16 Petőfi Sándor Street.
www.procopius.hu
www.bidcoin.hu
numismatica@procopius.hu
+36 30 397 6748