Charles Riley Coins & Medals

01/04/2026

It gives me a warm glow when I add to my collection a previously unrecorded medal, in this case a variety of the otherwise common 1885 Thomas Charles Sunday School in Wales Centenary. It's struck in bronze-gilt (or gilt bronze if you prefer). I haven't seen another or read of one in 35 years of collecting. This might be a suitable moment to remind people that I'm assembling a catalogue of Welsh-language commemorative medals - so do contact me if you have anything which may qualify. Many thanks!

27/03/2026

I'm currently at the Harrogate Coin Fair. Day 2 is tomorrow (Saturday) 9.30am to 2pm. If you're in the area do come along and say hello!

04/02/2026

Shocking and sad news has just been announced that Phil Skingley has died suddenly. He was for many years the head of Spink Books, and more recently a director of Coincraft in London. He was somewhat younger than me and his premature death is truly a shock. My sincere condolences to his wife Vicky and family. He leaves two young children behind also. This photo was taken in 2005 when I was leaving ungainful employment for the life of a self-employed coin dealer. The ready smile was typical of Phil.

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to all my customers and numismatists everywhere

02/12/2025

This medal arrived in the post today. It is to mark the centenary of the birth of numismatist Michael Dolley, often regarded as a 'doyen' of Irish numismatics. He died a few years before I came on the numismatic scene but he was well-known by reputation. The medallist is Danuta Solowiej and it was struck in a limited edition (by subscription) by Fattorini of Birmingham. I think both Danuta and Fattorini have done a splendid job.

01/11/2025

Currently at the London Coin Fair. Any takers for 5 silver ounces of Mr Mountbatten Windsor?

28/10/2025

I have an article in the forthcoming (November) edition of Coin News Magazine - a look at the role nostalgia may have in our collecting choices (in this instance my 'Year in Provence'). As a special bonus there's not one but two photos of me in the magazine (1987 and 2025) - see if you can tell the difference!

07/10/2025

Last week I visited the museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell (London). Really well worth a visit (and I was almost the only visitor during my visit). Quite a lot of numismatic material on display although generally rather dimly lit. The museum tells the history of the Knights and Order of St John from its foundation in the 11th Century to the present day.

03/10/2025

Dominic Chorney of Stanley Gibbons Baldwins at the launch of his book "Treasures of the Occult ", one of numismatics' more unorthodox works. I'm looking forward to reading it!

26/09/2025

Popped in to Coinex this morning

Here we are at COINEX with Charles Riley, from Charles Riley Coins and Medals, who wrote our fantastic Medallic Miscellany feature for the October issue of COIN NEWS.
It’s lovely to meet and chat with our authors 😁

24/09/2025

Anybody curious about medals by Sir William Goscombe John RA should have a look at October's 'Coin News' magazine (on sale about now) for a small article I've written about them.

21/09/2025

It looks like the October edition of Coin News Magazine will be even more interesting than usual! 😀