Authentication and valuation services

These terms and conditions (Terms) set out the terms on which The Royal Mint Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales under number 06964873 whose registered office is at Llantrisant, Pontyclun, CF72 8YT (The Royal Mint, we, us or our) provides coin authentication and valuation services to customers (Customer, you or your).

You should read these Terms carefully as they will form part of a legally binding contract between you and The Royal Mint that will govern any authentication and/or valuation services we provide to you. These Terms apply to the exclusion of any other terms, conditions or contract provided by you.

Please note: the services available under these Terms are:

• only available for pre-decimal British coins, made by The Royal Mint, and not for any other coins or products; and
• not available to residents of a restricted country or region listed here

You are also bound, where appropriate, by the other terms and conditions on our site, including our Website Terms of Use.

We will only use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy.

1. Information about us

   1. We are a government owned company, registered in England and Wales under company number 06964873, with our registered office at Llantrisant, Pontyclun, CF72 8YT, United Kingdom (our premises). Our VAT number is GB 256 5227 96. We operate www.royalmint.com.
   2. To contact us, please see our Contact Us page or email us on: customer.services@royalmint.com.

2. Purchasing coin authentication and valuation services

   1. When you request coin authentication and/or valuation services from us, this will constitute an offer by you to buy such services from us. This offer will not be accepted by us, and no legally binding contract will exist between us, until:
      1. you have provided payment for our services in accordance with these Terms; and
      2. we have received the applicable coin(s) from you; and
      3. you have provided all relevant information to us as required under these Terms, together with any additional information that we may reasonably request from you, in order to enter into a contract with you; and
      4. we have confirmed acceptance of your offer and agreed to provide the authentication and/or valuation services as requested (which we shall be free to accept or refuse in our ultimate discretion).
   2. If we do not accept your offer to buy coin authentication and/or valuation services from us under these Terms, for any reason, then we will:
      1. refund any payment you have already made which shall be credited to you by the same means through which you paid us less any administration or other charges made by your credit card, debit card, bank or other payment provider; and
      2. return your coins to you in accordance with clause 10.
   3. Subject to your compliance with these Terms and any future decision of The Royal Mint to suspend or end the services, there is no limit to the number of coins that a Customer can send to The Royal Mint for authentication and/or valuation under these Terms.

3. Charges and payment

   1. A fee is payable in respect of each coin submitted to The Royal Mint for authentication and/or verification services under these Terms. The applicable fees are set out on The Royal Mint website.
   2. The fees listed on The Royal Mint website are subject to change from time to time in our absolute discretion. It is your responsibility to check these fees at the time you request coin authentication and/or valuation services from us, as the fees in place at that time will apply to our contract with you.
   3. Fees are payable in advance using the payment methods set out on The Royal Mint website.
   4. Once you have paid the applicable fee(s), you will be provided with a reference number which you should quote on all future correspondence with us.

4. Sending your coin(s) to us

   1. Coins should be sent to us at The Royal Mint, Authentication Department C/O the Museum, PO Box 500, Pontyclun, Llantrisant, CF72 8WP, UK.
   2. We recommend you send all coins to us securely, for example through a traceable and adequately insured recorded delivery service.
   3. When you send coins to us, you assume all risks in relation to loss of and damage to such coins until we have received them.
   4. Once we have received your coin(s), we will carry out the services as requested, following which we will return your coin(s) to you. The time taken to complete authentication and valuation services can vary depending on the circumstances and therefore, unless expressly confirmed otherwise by us in writing, we do not give any guarantee that a particular coin will be returned within a set timeframe. From time to time we may provide estimated timeframes for return of coins. but these shall be illustrative only and we shall not be liable for failing to comply with such estimated timeframes.
   5. We will be responsible for all Customer coins while these are in our possession, and we will ensure that they are appropriately protected against loss, damage and theft.

5. Coin Authentication services

   1. In providing coin authentication services under these Terms, we shall examine the applicable coin and if, in our opinion (based on the knowledge, expertise, experience and related resources available to The Royal Mint), the coin is genuine, we shall produce a certificate of authentication accordingly (Certificate).
   2. Each Certificate will be in a form prescribed by The Royal Mint from time to time, and shall include details of the coin to which it relates, and may be accompanied by a high resolution photograph of the coin for identification and verification purposes
   3. Although The Royal Mint takes many steps to ensure that the Certificate matches the examined coin, The Royal Mint is not responsible for, and accepts no liability in respect of, any misuse of a Certificate, including any deliberate misuse of a Certificate in relation to a coin other than the examined coin.
   4. If an examined coin is not genuine, or if for any other reason it is not appropriate (in The Royal Mint’s absolute discretion) to produce a Certificate in relation to an examined coin, we will, provided we are legally permitted to do so, confirm the same to the Customer when we return the coin. We may also contact the relevant legal, governmental or regulatory authorities without notice to you in such circumstances.

6. Coin Valuation services

   1. In providing coin valuation services under these Terms, we shall examine the applicable coin and provide a written estimate of the value of that coin (Valuation). The Valuation is expressly subject to the assumptions, limitations, disclaimers and acknowledgments set out in this clause 6.
   2. The Valuation is a statement of opinion by The Royal Mint, taking into account the knowledge, expertise, experience and related resources available to The Royal Mint and also the information, warranties and acknowledgements given by the Customer under these Terms. The Valuation is not, nor is it intended to be, a statement of fact.
   3. The Valuation represents the value which, in the opinion of The Royal Mint, could be achieved if the coin were to be sold in a contemporaneous or subsequent sale conducted in accordance with standard auction sale procedures. In requesting a Valuation, the Customer acknowledges that opinions as to the value of a coin may differ depending on the particular circumstances affecting that coin, including the prevailing market conditions, the coin’s position within a wider collection, or the existence or availability for sale of similar items or collections at the same time or in the same circumstances as the examined coin is made available for sale.
   4. In providing the Valuation, The Royal Mint makes no representation, and gives no warranty or guarantee that, on any contemporaneous or subsequent sale (whether public or private) of the examined coin, it will realise the same or similar amount at which it is valued by The Royal Mint.
   5. The Valuation is given on, and (subject to this clause 6) is only valid in respect of, the date it is provided by The Royal Mint and shall not represent any estimate of the past or future value or anticipated value of the applicable coin.
   6. The Valuation does not take into account any expenses (including commissions or applicable taxes) which might apply or become due on a sale of the examined coin.
   7. From creation thereof, the Valuation and any rights therein (including copyright) shall be, and thereafter shall remain, the property of The Royal Mint (or of a third party designated by The Royal Mint in writing) and the Customer shall not receive and is not granted any rights of ownership over the Valuation whatsoever. Subject to the previous sentence, The Royal Mint grants to the Customer a limited, personal, non-transferable, revocable licence over the Valuation to use it for the Customer’s own private (i.e. non-business) purposes only. The Customer shall not, without the prior written consent of The Royal Mint, use the Valuation in any other way, including:
      1. Reproducing, copying or publishing it in any form; or
      2. disclosing it to any third party (other than the Customer’s professional advisors, or if required by law); or
      3. using it for any official or formal purpose including in legal proceedings, in insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or for insurance purposes
   8. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Royal Mint does not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Customer in respect of the Valuation, and the Valuation may not be relied upon for any purpose whatsoever by any third party without the express written consent of The Royal Mint.

7. Customer warranties

   1. The Customer warrants to The Royal Mint that:
      1. the Customer is the owner of the coin or is duly and properly authorised by the owner to have the coin valued and/or authenticated; and
      2. the Customer has provided all relevant and full information to The Royal Mint as reasonably necessary for The Royal Mint to perform our obligations under these Terms.
   2. The Customer agrees to indemnify, and keep indemnified, The Royal Mint from and against any losses, damages, liability, costs (including legal fees) and expenses which The Royal Mint may suffer or incur (directly or indirectly) as a result of, or in connection with, any breach by the Customer of the warranties in clause 7.1.

8. Warranties given by The Royal Mint

   1. The Royal Mint warrants to the Customer that our services shall be supplied with reasonable care, diligence and skill in accordance with applicable good industry practice. Subject to the previous sentence:
      1. The Royal Mint gives no other warranties and make no representations in relation to the services; and
      2. The Royal Mint hereby excludes all other warranties, representations and conditions, whether express or implied by statute, common law or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

9. No purchase

   1. The Royal Mint does not buy coins from customers as part of this service.
   2. All coins provided to The Royal Mint under these Terms shall at all times remain the property of the Customer.
   3. The provision of any coin authentication services and/or coin valuation services under these Terms does not and shall not represent any sort of offer or acceptance by The Royal Mint to purchase any coins subject to such authentication and/or valuation services.
   4. All such coins shall be returned in accordance with these Terms.
   5. For further information on our coin buying services, please see our website (www.royalmint.com).

10. Returning your coin(s) to you

    1. Once the applicable authentication and/or valuation services are complete, we will arrange shipment of Customer coin(s) back to the relevant Customer, through a traceable recorded delivery service, to the return address provided by that Customer.
    2. We will be responsible for Customer coins that we return to Customers up until such time as the coin has been delivered to the applicable return address and signed for by a recipient at that address. Once a Customer coin has been delivered and signed for as above the responsibility for and risk in that coin shall pass to the recipient and The Royal Mint shall have no further responsibility or liability in relation to that coin.

11. Limitation of liability

    1. Nothing in these Terms shall exclude either party’s liability for:
       1. death or personal injury resulting from the negligence of a party or its employees while acting in the course of their employment;
       2. fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
       3. any other losses which cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
    2. Subject to clause 11.1, The Royal Mint shall not be liable to the Customer for:
       1. any deficiency or error in the provision of coin authentication and/or valuation services under these Terms to the extent that such deficiency or error arises as a consequence of:
          (a) any failure by the Customer (including a failure to provide full and accurate information to us); or
          (b) any external circumstances beyond The Royal Mint’s control (including changes in prevailing market conditions); or
       2. any loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of business, loss of goodwill, loss of contracts, loss of anticipated savings, loss of production or loss of or corruption to data; or
       3. any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever.
    3. Subject to clauses 11.1 and 11.2, The Royal Mint’s total liability to the Customer arising out of or in connection with the provision of services under these Terms shall be limited to the price paid by the Customer for such services.

12. Termination

    1. If we have committed a material breach of any of our obligations under these Terms, you shall have the option, upon notice to us (which may be by letter, telephone or email), to terminate your contract with us under these Terms. If you choose to do so we shall:
       1. refund any payment you have made in respect of such terminated contract which shall be credited to you by the same means through which you paid us less any administration or other charges made by your credit card, debit card, bank or other payment provider; and
       2. return your coins to you in accordance with clause 10.
    2. If you have committed a material breach of any of your obligations under these Terms, we shall have the option, upon written notice to you (which may be by letter or email), to terminate your contract with us under these Terms. If we choose to do so we shall return your coins to you in accordance with clause 10. In these circumstances you will not be entitled to a refund.
    3. Termination or expiry of your contract with us under these Terms shall not affect any rights and liabilities of either party that have accrued up to the date of termination.
    4. Clauses in these Terms which expressly or by implication are intended to survive termination shall do so.

13. Assignment

    1. The Customer may not assign or transfer any right or obligation under these Terms, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
    2. The Royal Mint may perform any of its obligations and exercise any of its rights granted under these Terms through any associate, sub-contractor or any affiliated or group company of The Royal Mint or The Royal Mint Museum. The Royal Mint acknowledges and agrees that any act or omission of such associate, sub-contractor or company in relation to The Royal Mint’s rights or obligations under these Terms shall be deemed to be an act or omission of The Royal Mint itself.

14. General

    1. Interpretation – in these Terms, unless the context requires otherwise:
       1. 13.3.1. references to a “party” or to “parties” are to the parties to the contract made under these terms, being The Royal Mint and the Customer;
       2. 13.3.2. the words “including” or “includes” (or similar) mean including or includes without limitation;
       3. 13.3.3. a reference to “in writing” or “written” includes any method of reproducing words in a legible form including emails;
       4. 13.3.4. any obligation on any Party not to do or omit to do anything is to include an obligation not to allow that thing to be done or omitted to be done; and
       5. 13.3.5. a reference to legislation: (i) is a reference to that legislation as amended, extended, re-enacted or consolidated from time to time except to the extent that any such amendment, extension or re-enactment would increase or alter the liability of a party under the Contract; and (ii) includes all subordinate legislation made from time to time under that legislation.
    2. Age limit – if you are under the age of 18, you may not purchase or use any services under these Terms.
    3. Third parties – save for affiliated or group companies of The Royal Mint which shall be entitled under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of the provisions of these Terms, no other person or entity who is not a party to the contract between us under these Terms shall have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of the provisions of these Terms.
    4. Disputes – in the event of any dispute over any aspect of the authentication services or valuation services provided under these Terms the decision of The Royal Mint shall be final and binding.
    5. Waiver – unless otherwise agreed in writing, no delay, act or omission by either party in exercising any right or remedy, or any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy, will be deemed a waiver of that or any other right or remedy or prevent any future or further exercise of it.
    6. Severance – if any provision of these Terms is prohibited by law or judged by a court to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, the provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent required to make it legal, valid and enforceable but if such amendment is not possible such provision shall instead, to the extent required, be severed from these Terms and rendered ineffective as far as possible without modifying the remaining provisions of these Terms, and in either case such provision shall not in any way affect any other circumstances of or the validity or enforcement of these Terms.
    7. Variation – We have the right to revise and amend these Terms from time to time by posting revised Terms on the website. The revised Terms will apply in respect of any order for products or any other service made 24 hours or more after we have posted them on our website. If you do not agree to our revised Terms as posted on our website, please do not order products or services from us.
    8. Governing law and jurisdiction – these Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, their subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales. The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, these Terms.

Last updated on 21-4-2022.