Selling Gold and Silver at Auction

Gold and silver have been having a bit of a moment lately — prices have been trending upwards, but (as anyone who’s watched the charts knows) they can still be properly volatile. In the real world of antiques and jewellery, that means two things can be true at once: precious metal content can provide a strong foundation for value, and the best pieces still sell because they’re beautifully made, rare, desirable, and have that “you don’t see one of those every day” factor. If you fancy a look at the sort of results we’re talking about, you can browse recent outcomes from our Winter Fine Interiors Auction or dip into the wider results here: auction results search.

_{^{A LARGE LATE 19TH CENTURY OVAL SILVER TWIN HANDLED TRAY. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £9,000.}}

Silver is a great example of where “metal value” and “collector value” overlap. A solid piece of antique silver has intrinsic value, but what really drives bidders is quality, condition, maker’s marks, design, and period. In our recent sale, pieces like the large late 19th century silver twin-handled tray and the late 19th century silver salver drew strong attention — not because they’re “just silver”, but because they’re the right sort of silver. If you’d like a bit of broader, non-competitor background on historic silver and why it remains so collectable, museum resources like the V&A’s silver overview are always a good rabbit hole to fall into.

_{^{A LATE 19TH CENTURY LARGE SILVER SALVER. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £5,200.}}

_{^{A 20TH CENTURY 18CT WHITE GOLD AND DIAMOND CROSS PENDANT NECKLACE. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £520.}}

Gold behaves in much the same way: yes, bullion values matter, but bidders don’t fall in love with a spreadsheet; they fall in love with a great ring, a well-made chain, or a standout period piece that looks and feels special in the hand. That’s why estate jewellery can perform so well at auction: it blends material value with design and scarcity. Recent examples from the same sale include an 18ct white gold and diamond cross pendant necklace and a group of 9ct gold pieces. For practical guidance on jewellery materials and hallmarks (without drifting into “buy/sell tips”), the London Assay Office is a trusted reference point.

Now, the important bit (before anyone thinks we’re trying to turn you into a day trader): this is not financial advice, and antiques are not a guaranteed “investment” — markets move, tastes change, and metal prices can wobble. What we can say is that when people are paying attention to gold and silver, it often brings fresh energy into the category, and that can be a very good time to sell well-chosen pieces through a proper auction route. If you’re the sort who likes to keep an eye on the underlying benchmarks, the LBMA Silver Price and World Gold Council gold price data are widely used reference sources — just don’t let the “spot price” distract you from craftsmanship and rarity, which is where the real magic happens.

_{^{A GOOD QUALITY GEORGE VI SILVER FOUR PIECE SILVER TEA SERVICE. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £3,400.}}

_{^{A GEORGE III SILVER SALVER. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £1,560.}}

_{^{A JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD BRONZE AND MIXED METAL GARNITURE. SOLD IN THE WINTER FINE INTERIORS AUCTION JANUARY 2026, FOR £1,150.}}

If you’re thinking about consigning, here’s the practical upside: Hutchinson Scott sells across major international bidding platforms, meaning your consigned items are seen by tens of thousands of interested bidders around the world — not just whoever happens to be local on the day. To make it even more appealing, we currently offer 0% seller’s commission on precious metals (including gold, silver, jewellery, and watches). If you’d like to get the ball rolling, start with a look at recent comparable results such as the George VI silver tea service, the George III silver salver, or the Meiji bronze and mixed-metal garniture (a nice reminder that “metal” in auctions isn’t just bullion — it’s artistry). You can always explore more on our website.