FACE VALUE FACE VALUE


The world of coin, banknote and stamp collecting is as popular as ever in these uncertain times


B


rexit and Trump characterised 2016 and 2017 is turning into a world of post-truth and fake news. Both


create uncertainty as people speculate on what is real: in politics, media, and business. Emotions and personal beliefs take over from facts, as ‘esteemed’ sources lose their polish and people don’t know what to do, or who to trust. Thankfully, for anyone prepared


to use reason to guide emotion, and evidence to taper supposition, the outlook isn’t so bleak. Investing in a time of turbulence isn’t easy, but there are still ways to balance your portfolios. Keith Heddle, managing director of


investments at Stanley Gibbons, says: “Investing in tangible, heritage assets such as rare stamps and coins can be one way of diversifying your portfolio – transferring some of your capital away from mainstream assets and into something real, and uncorrelated to the stock market.


“While interest rates are


so low, cash struggles to stay ahead of infl ation, so once again many people are looking for alternatives to broaden their asset allocation.” Of course, it’s


“ Chinese currency is showing an upswing in value


not possible to predict what the value of an individual rare stamp or coin may be in the future, but when it comes to past performance, selected


investment-grade stamps and coins have outperformed many other markets in terms of their consistency and lack of volatility – and these are assets that have stood the test of time – some for thousands of years. Thesaleroom.com works


with Europe’s leading auction houses and regularly hosts more than 5,000 auctions per year for a wide range of


2016 Yearbook £63.56


COLLECTABLES FROM GUERNSEY POST Year of the Rooster 2017


All stamps issued for Guernsey & Alderney during 2016


Limited Edition Gold Miniature Sheet £95.00


clients. Richard Lewis is their chief operating offi cer, and believes coins and banknotes will always remain a huge part of the collecting market: “The one big change in the numismatic marketplace over the past decade has been the contribution of banknotes and other forms of scripophily such as cheques and share certifi cates. “Collecting banknotes is all


about rarity and condition. It is also, to an extent, about national collecting – there has been a big rise in prices of far eastern


banknotes as the Chinese have made their presence felt.” Banknote collecting, in particular, has recently captured the imagination of the British public with the release of the new £5 note last year – the buzz around


fi nding a note with an early serial number, and just how much that could be worth, fi lled the national papers and social media platforms, exposing the potential of banknote collecting to a far wider audience. “Our data shows a steady rise over the last year with searches for banknotes increasing


CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 ▶


Investing in tangible, heritage assets such as rare stamps and coins can be one way of diversifying your portfolio - transferring some of your capital away from mainstream assets


There are also limited edition Gold Foil Souvenir Sheets available for Year of the Horse, Goat and Monkey. Please check on our website for details on these products and other collectable items.


STORIES FROM THE GREAT WAR PART 3 Prestige Booklet: £14.80


Banknote Album with pockets £34.00 (does not include banknotes)


Guernsey Mint Banknotes £1 Banknotes to £50 Banknotes available


This third issue of stamps commemorating the First World War, explores the role that the Guernsey ‘Bluejackets’ who enlisted in the Royal Navy, played during WW1.


ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.GUERNSEYSTAMPS.COM


Order Guernsey & Alderney stamps online or by telephone on +44 (0) 1481 716486


Arts, Antiques & Collectibles 39


Images: OliverChilds, studiocasper, ARSELA - istock.com / Peter Horree - Alamy.com


78


Stories from the Great War


B A I L IWI C K OF G U E RNS E Y


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