How to Sell Gold in the UK: A Complete Process

Identify and value your gold

List each item as a bar, bullion coin, collector coin, jewellery piece, watch, dental gold or mixed scrap. Record visible weight, fineness, hallmark, refiner, serial, coin date, grade and packaging.

Photograph both sides, marks and packaging before further handling. Place standard bullion coins and bars in one group for metal-market quotes. Keep proof, graded, rare-date and unusual coins apart for specialist review.

A careful sort prevents a buyer from valuing every item through the cheapest route. Collect invoices, assay cards, certificates, grading records, boxes and prior valuations.

Provenance supports identity and lawful ownership but does not replace testing. Keep sensitive documents private until the buyer explains what evidence is required.

Convert weight into grams or troy ounces and apply fineness to estimate pure-gold content. Multiply fine-gold content by a current reference price in the same unit and currency.

Use the same timestamp for all quotes because gold prices move.

Choose the right buyer

Match standard bullion with dealers that publish coin and bar buy prices. Take rare, proof or high-grade coins to buyers who understand their collector market.

The buyer with the highest advertised percentage may not produce the highest net payment. A bullion dealer can identify recognised bars and coins and quote against live gold and current stock demand.

Ask whether it pays a product premium for Britannias, Sovereigns, sealed bars or quantity. Compare the published buyback method with the written quote for your items.

A coin specialist can attribute date, mint, variety, proof status and grade before pricing. An auction can expose a scarce coin to collectors but adds fees, time and an uncertain result.

Do not consign an ordinary bullion coin to a slow collector route without a supported premium. A jewellery buyer may offer for design, brand, stones or second-hand demand.

A scrap buyer focuses on recoverable metal after testing and non-gold deductions. Do not allow destructive testing or dismantling until the process and return terms are agreed.

A private sale can avoid a dealer spread but transfers authentication, payment and safety risks to both parties. Do not meet an unknown buyer at home or disclose where other valuables are stored.

Consider whether the extra expected price justifies personal risk, delay and dispute exposure.

Check the buyer and quote

Check the company's legal name, registration, trading address, website domain and contact details. Compare payment instructions with the verified entity and question a last-minute account change.

Walk away from pressure, secrecy, remote-access requests or promises that cannot be written down. A legitimate buyer may request photo identification, address evidence and ownership information.

Identity checks can support anti-money-laundering controls and fraud prevention. Refusing unexplained data collection is different from avoiding lawful checks.

Give each buyer the same item list, weights, photographs and condition description. Ask for an indicative net amount and the assumptions behind it. Investigate large differences rather than accepting that the highest number is accurate.

A buyer may quote pounds per gram, a percentage of spot or a cash amount per item. Convert all offers into net pounds and, where useful, a percentage of fine-gold value. Do not compare one gross quote with another net quote.

Fix the price and custody terms

Price can be fixed at booking, arrival, completion of testing or seller acceptance. A later fixing leaves the seller exposed to market movement while the buyer holds the gold.

Keep the written price confirmation with its time, reference and item list. Keep coins in capsules, bars in assay packaging and graded coins in their holders. Do not polish, clean, file or acid-test items before specialist review.

Remove personal documents from boxes unless they form necessary provenance.

Deliver or hand over the gold

Book an appointment and confirm which identification and items to bring. Use discreet transport and avoid discussing the journey or value in public.

Wait for verified cleared payment or written settlement terms before treating the sale as complete. London offers bullion desks, coin specialists, auction houses and jewellery buyers with different markets.

Choose the buyer by product expertise rather than postcode or a claim about the London gold market. Compare the London net quote with insured collection or postal options after travel costs.

A collection service should state who collects, how identity is checked and when custody transfers. Confirm insurance limits, exclusions and whether the cover uses replacement or declared value.

Ask where the parcel is held and who bears risk if inspection is delayed. Check the carrier's current prohibited-item and compensation rules before sending precious metals.

Standard cover may exclude cash, jewellery, bullion or high-value items. Retain weight, photographs, tracking and delivery proof until settlement or return is complete.

Ask for the buyer's insurance position while items are on site and during any onward movement. A claim that a parcel is insured needs written limits and exclusions. Record every handover between seller, courier, buyer and specialist.

Inspection, payment and records

The buyer may confirm weight, fineness, authenticity and condition before finalising price. A revised offer should state what changed and show the new calculation.

Do not accept a short deadline that prevents you from understanding a material deduction. Confirm payment method, account name, timing and any fee before transferring ownership.

Use an account in your name where the buyer's checks require it. Escalate an overdue settlement promptly through the firm's written complaints process.

Keep acquisition evidence, item descriptions, photographs, valuations, fees and the final sale statement. Sterling legal-tender coins can have different Capital Gains Tax treatment from bars, foreign coins and jewellery.

Seek current professional advice where the gain, ownership or product is material or uncertain.

Avoid expensive selling mistakes

Do not mix a graded rarity into scrap or accept a weight-only offer for a signed jewellery piece. Do not compare quotes with different timestamps, fees or inspection assumptions.

Do not release gold against a payment screenshot, verbal promise or unverified account change.

Start with How Much Can I Sell My Gold For? to build the valuation baseline.

Read Certified and Graded Coins before selling an encapsulated coin.