Investors turning to stamps, coins and collectables

As the credit crunch bites hard at the traditional markets of stocks and shares and financial trading, dealers and auction houses are reporting a growing interest in certain areas of the collecting market, with stamps and coins, and other collectable items, a popular choice for investors looking at safe havens for their money.

Word from Noble Investments, a UK market leader in coin dealing and the only one listed on the markets, is of renewed interest ion the area and very brisk business indeed.
    

Business better than ever

Ian Goldbart, the Managing Director of Noble Investments, has said that business is stronger now than it has ever been, and the company has recently purchased well known stamp trader Apex Philatelics in a £1.25 million deal to put Noble firmly at the head of the stamp and coin market.

Noble Investments, the only listed UK coin dealer and auctioneer, is enjoying a renaissance in collecting as investors who have had their fingers burned in traditional markets seek out a cycle-resistant alternative.

Stanley Gibbons, the world famous stamp trader – also dealers in other memorabilia – backed up the optimistic mood emanating from Nobles and expressed the belief that the market would remain insulated against the general downturn in the economy thanks to the ongoing ‘passion’ of collectors across the country.
    

Rare stamps a sensible investment

Prices of rare stamps are still on the rise, and with Apex offering items at up to £5,000 per stamp the investment potential is clear to see. High value stamps are being seen as a favoured investment, and the market in Greek and Roman ancient coins, among others, is a roaring trade according to those at Noble Investments.
    

Bank notes and medals a popular avenue

Noble will now look to move into another booming area of collecting, that of bank notes and military medals, in order to capitalise on the expanding market, and will use the acquisition of Apex to facilitate this market expansion.

In an interesting aside, the economic gloom is having a positive effect to pawnbrokers, with the H&T Group, the market leader and biggest pawnbroker in the UK, reporting an increase in profit of over £1 million in the first half of the year, a figure strongly helped by the rocketing price of gold and precious metals.