Gold Academy · Lesson 16

Passing Coins On to Family

For many of our customers, the best part of owning gold coins is knowing that one day they will be handed on. A little planning now makes that day simple for everyone.

Last reviewed November 2026

Why coins are easy to pass on

A coin is a coin, whoever holds it. A Sovereign struck today will be the same recognisable coin in fifty years, which is why gold has been handed down through families for generations. Coins also divide naturally, so you can leave one to each grandchild rather than one large item that has to be sold and shared.

Keep a simple record

The kindest thing you can do for your family is write down what you own and where it is. List each coin with its weight and year. For certified coins, add the NGC or PCGS certification number on the label. Keep your invoices with it. Your private online account with us also shows the coins you bought from us, so nothing relies on memory.

Tell the people who need to know

A safe that nobody knows about, or a vault account nobody can find, makes life harder at an already difficult time. Let your executor or a trusted family member know where your coins are kept and how to reach us. If your coins are in vault storage, they are held in your name, so your executor can contact the vault company directly.

Gifting now or leaving them in your will

Some customers enjoy seeing coins go to children and grandchildren while they are alive. In the UK you can usually give away £3,000 each year without it counting towards Inheritance Tax. Larger gifts generally fall outside your estate if you live for seven years afterwards. Others prefer to name their coins in their will. Because Britannias and Sovereigns are UK legal tender, there is no Capital Gains Tax for UK residents when they are gifted, inherited or later sold. The tax side is covered in more detail in Gold and inheritance.

A coin as a gift

A single coin makes a lasting present for a birth, a wedding or a special birthday. Ask your specialist about a presentation box. Choose a coin with a year or design that means something to the person receiving it.

When your family decides to sell

Whoever inherits your coins can call us on the same number, 0208 064 0076. We buy back the coins we supply at a fair market rate, with payment the same day the coins arrive and are checked. Certified coins are especially simple, because the certification number confirms exactly what they are.

Next lesson: What happens if gold falls? · Back to the Academy

This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Inheritance planning depends on your own circumstances, so please speak to a qualified adviser or solicitor about your position. The value of gold can go down as well as up.