Seller guide
Gold, coins, watches and silver: how selling each one works
The process is the same four steps whatever you are selling. What changes is how each item is assessed.
Why British Gold Exchange
40+
Years in the precious metals business
£0
Cost to request your free insured postal pack
24h
Maximum time to receive your firm, itemised offer
100%
Of items returned free if you decline
Ready to get a valuation?
The short answer
One process in four steps, with the assessment method varying by item type
Whether you are selling a single gold ring or a complete collection of coins, silverware and watches, the process at British Gold Exchange is the same: request a free pack, send your items, receive a firm offer within 24 hours of your items reaching us, and get paid the same day if you accept before 3pm. Watches are the one exception: speak to us first and we will arrange for them to be sent separately.
What changes is how we assess value. Gold and silver are tested with an XRF analyser, a professional, non-destructive test that gives us purity readings without damaging the piece. Coins are assessed on their metal content and, where relevant, their numismatic value. Watches are assessed against live secondary market data from platforms including Chrono24 and WatchCharts, adjusted for condition, papers and provenance.
You do not need to sort, label, clean or categorise your items before sending. Our specialists handle the identification and assessment of every piece. We do not buy gold-plated or silver-plated (EPNS) items. If something turns out to be plated rather than solid, or gold-filled rather than solid gold, we will explain this clearly in the offer letter and return anything we do not buy.
What affects it
How each type of item is assessed
How it works
From first contact to payment
Request your free pack
We send you a free pack with a prepaid, tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery label, dispatched the next working day, for jewellery, coins and small items. Watches are sent separately after you speak to us, and you should contact us first about heavy lots such as silverware.
Send your items
Pack your items in the packaging we supply and hand them in at a Post Office. They are insured up to £2,500 from that moment until they reach us.
Receive your offer
A firm, itemised offer arrives within 24 hours of your items reaching us. Every piece is weighed and XRF-tested for purity.
Get paid
Accept before 3pm on a working day for a same-day bank transfer. Decline and we return every item free of charge.
Common questions
Questions we hear most
What if I do not know what I have?
Send it anyway. Our specialists identify and assess everything, including carat, purity, coin type and watch model. You will receive a full written breakdown in your offer letter.
Can I send items of different types together?
Yes. Gold, silver and coins can all be sent in the same pack. Watches go separately: speak to us first and we will arrange this. Each item is assessed separately and the offer is fully itemised.
What happens to items that have no value?
We do not buy gold-plated or silver-plated items. These, along with base metal pieces and anything with no precious metal content, are returned to you at no cost. We never charge for an assessment.
How long does the whole process take?
We dispatch your pack the next working day. Once you post it, the process typically takes 3 to 5 working days from posting to payment: your firm offer arrives within 24 hours of your items reaching us, and payment is made the same day if you accept before 3pm.
Is there a minimum value or weight?
There is no minimum. We accept single items, from a 9ct ring upwards. For larger lots, such as estate collections, contact us before sending.
Get started
Whatever you have, we will assess it and make you a firm offer
Request your free insured pack and send us your gold, silver and coins, or speak to us about a watch. You will have a full written offer within 24 hours of your items reaching us.