# Coins and banknotes > Commemorative coins, bullion and notes. Small, valuable and judged under a loupe, so protection and photos matter most. Coin buyers zoom in on every mark. Keep each coin in a capsule from the moment you buy it, and photograph both faces in even light. Coins are light and small, so most orders go in a padded envelope as a Large Letter. Weigh to the gram: bullion lots can push past the weight limit. ## How to pack it - Put the coin in a capsule and tape the capsule to a small card, so it can’t slide about. - Slide the card into a padded envelope. - Choose a tracked service for any coin you would be upset to lose, and check Royal Mail’s current compensation limits. Avoid: Loose coins in envelopes. They work their way out through the corners. - **[Coin capsules, assorted sizes, 100 pack](https://sellersetups.com/product/coin-capsules)** (£8 to £14): A fingerprint on a coin's surface can knock its value. Capsules show both faces on your stream and protect the coin in the post. - **[Kraft padded envelopes, D/1, 100 pack](https://sellersetups.com/product/padded-envelopes)** (£14 to £22): Enough padding for a lipstick, a small figure or a sealed booster pack, with no box to fold. - **[100 x 150 mm thermal labels, 500 fanfold](https://sellersetups.com/product/thermal-labels-fanfold)** (£12 to £18): Fanfold stacks feed flat behind the printer and hold more labels than a roll. 100 x 150 mm matches the label size UK couriers and marketplaces print. ## Postage per order - Royal Mail 2nd Class Large Letter: £1.55 to £2.70. Single cards in a rigid mailer, jewellery and other flat items up to 750 g that fit through a letterbox. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 Large Letter: £2.90. Higher-value cards and flat items up to 1 kg that need tracking and a delivery photo. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 Small Parcel: £3.75. Clothing and small boxed items up to 2 kg, with tracking for less than untracked 2nd Class. ## The kit for a coin seller Coin capsules in a range of sizes come first, then small padded envelopes and a pocket scale that reads to a tenth of a gram. A loupe or magnifier lets you check marks and grade before you list. Cotton gloves stop fingerprints on proof finishes. Add a light tent or two soft panel lights for photos. Coins reflect everything, and diffused light stops the glare that hides detail. ## Packing coins so they arrive safe Put the coin in a capsule, then tape the capsule to a small square of card so it can’t slide around. Slide the card into a padded envelope and seal it well. A loose coin can work its way out through an envelope corner. For several coins, tape each capsule to the same card in a row. Heavier bullion lots go in a small box with padding. ## Storing stock you can find Store capsuled coins in a coin tray or a labelled box, sorted by country and then date. Give each coin a stock number and write it on a small label on the capsule edge. Keep the stock list on your phone so you can check what you have during a show. Keep coins dry and away from PVC flips, which can damage the surface over time. ## Photos and listings Photograph both faces of every coin, straight on, in diffused light. Add an angled shot to show lustre and a close-up of any mark or scratch. Buyers zoom in, so put your effort into a sharp photo before any styling. Put the country, denomination, year and any variety in the title. If you mention a grade, say who graded it or describe the condition in plain words. ## Selling coins live Whatnot runs coin and bullion shows, and buyers like seeing coins turned in the light. Use an overhead phone arm and keep each coin in its capsule on camera. Line up lots in order before the show. Pack each sold coin straight after the show, capsule to card, and tick it off the show order list. ## Postage and growing past 50 orders Most single coins go as a Large Letter in a padded envelope, but check the weight and thickness against Royal Mail’s current size guide. For valuable coins use Royal Mail Special Delivery or a tracked, signed-for service, and check the compensation limit against the coin’s value. Past 50 orders, buy capsules in bulk in your common sizes and pre-cut card squares. A stock spreadsheet with location codes keeps you quick on busy days. ## Common mistakes - Handling proof coins with bare fingers leaves marks that cut the value, so wear cotton gloves. - Sending a coin loose in an envelope lets it slip out of a corner, so tape the capsule to card first. - Shooting coins under a bare bulb creates glare that hides detail, so diffuse your light. - Using the wrong capsule size lets coins rattle and scuff, so measure the diameter before you capsule. - Sending a valuable coin without enough cover leaves you out of pocket if it’s lost, so match the service’s compensation to the coin’s value. ## Setups - [Coin and jewellery selling desk](https://sellersetups.com/setups/coins-jewellery-desk): A precision scale, capsules, a light box for close-ups and a careful posting routine, for selling coins and small jewellery from one desk. ## Guides - [How to post jewellery safely in the UK](https://sellersetups.com/guides/post-jewellery-safely): Pick the Royal Mail service that covers a ring or a gold coin, pack it so nothing rattles, and keep the proof you need if a claim comes. ## Questions ### Can I post coins by Royal Mail? Yes, but check the compensation limit for valuable items and choose a tracked, signed-for service for anything worth more than the standard cover. ### Do capsules matter for cheap coins? For anything sold on its own, yes. Fingerprints and scratches cost more than the capsule. ### Should I clean coins before selling? No. Cleaning almost always reduces a coin’s value, and collectors can spot it. Sell coins as found. ### Do I need to report bullion sales? Tax rules for selling coins and bullion vary by item and by how often you sell. Check HMRC’s guidance or ask an accountant if you sell regularly. ### How do I photograph shiny coins? Use diffused light from the side, a dark background and shoot straight on. Turn the coin slightly for a second shot to show lustre. ### Can I sell coins on Vinted? Coins are listed on Vinted in the collectables area. Mid-value coins and sets sell there; rarer coins tend to reach more collectors on eBay.