Hoping to cash in on the coronation of King Charles, retailers have launched hundreds of red, white and blue themed products, from official Royal Mint coins and hand-painted pottery to dresses emblazoned with union flags and biscuits shaped like thrones.
The crowning of a monarch doesn’t come around very often, so should we be stocking up on mugs, tea towels and teddy bears that might one day fetch a pretty price at auction?
Here, history and retail experts offer their insights into coronation memorabilia.
A piece of history
“Royal memorabilia has always been popular with Brits, as the population as a whole holds the Royal family in such high regard, and they lie at the centre of our culture and history,” said retail expert Wizz Selvey, founder and CEO of Wizz&Co.
“Coins, newspapers, mugs and plates, as well as signed Christmas cards from monarchs in the past are all popular memorabilia from Elizabeth II’s coronation and reign.”
Souvenirs from coronations and other events are a great way to start an antique collection, Selvey said. “They will grow in value depending on their availability, wide-scale appeal, validity and condition.”
The rarer the better
Some of the most sought-after collectibles in circulation now are from the coronation that never happened.
Edward VIII was due to be crowned on May 12, 1937, and souvenirs were already on sale when he abdicated the throne in December 1936.
“All coronation memorabilia is quite valuable, but particularly coronation memorabilia from Edward VIII,” said royal historian and author Professor Kate Williams, who is working with Greene King.
“The majority of the items were simply not used – they were just thrown away.”
Investment pieces
So what should savvy shoppers splash out on this year? It’s fair to say (barring a last-minute coronation cancellation) that mass-produced items won’t stand the test of time.
Williams advised focusing on “anything that is very limited edition, so not something that you could get necessarily from Kings Cross Station”.
She also suggested items with the Buckingham Palace stamp of approval. “The Royal Mint is making limited edition coins and bullion – they are something to grab and keep.”
And if you happen to be one of the 2,000 people attending Charles’ coronation on May 6, or know someone who is, make sure to hold onto any items from the day.
“If you do get a programme from the coronation or an invite, all of these things will be worth a lot of money in the future,” Williams said.
Selvey predicts that products from British heritage brands, especially those that hold a royal warrant, will be of more interest to collectors in future.
“Like coronation limited editions by Liberty, Selfridges, Cath Kidston, Asprey, Marmite, or Kiki McDonough, whose jewellery is popular with the royal family,” she said.
“I think mugs and plates will always be popular, as they are the hardest items to maintain in a good condition. Stamps and coins are historically collectible items, so may increase in value.”
Protect your purchases
When it comes to official or collectible items, authenticity is key and you must look after your (potentially) precious purchases.
“Always look for a brand logo, or stamp on the underside of a product, as this is what some authenticators or antiques dealers will look for,” Selvey said.
“If you can keep the item in the original packaging that may increase the value for items like figurines.”
While the popularity of different antiques ebbs and flows, with a bit of luck – and patience – you could be quids in.
“The cynic in me says that Charles may well be the last monarch,” said food historian Annie Gray. “At which point I guess the market will either go through the roof or completely die.”
