In this episode, we turn our attention to stamps and stories shaped by empire, identity and memory.

Josh Barber, Head of Stamps, is joined by world-renowned philatelist and author Majed Halawi to explore Sierra Leone's extraordinary philatelic legacy.
Born in Sierra Leone, Majed reflects on how childhood fascination with the colours of stamps and encouraged his teacher, grew into a lifelong passion. The conversations follow his journey from early collecting to the creation of Echoes of Empire, a monumental two-volume work examining stamps through the lens of history, politics, empire and slavery.

Together, they discuss key rarities, the importance of context in philately, and why stamp collecting remains as relevant and powerful today as ever.

From colour and curiosity to empire and context, this is philately at its finest.

Step behind the scenes with the Spink Medals department in this brand-new Roundtable. Each specialists dives into their favourite lot of the auction and shares the fascinating stories and surprises behind them, bringing the catalogue to life in the most delightful way.
A fun peek at the treasures waiting in the auction room.

In this glittering episode, our Head of Coins Gregory Edmund is joined by the renowned historian Professor David Carpenter for an extraordinary deep dive into one of the most enigmatic objects in English numismatic history: the Henry III Gold Penny: Ancient royal treasure or an elaborate medieval hoax?

Together, they explore the discovery of the coin, its sensational record auction price, and David’s ground-breaking research into Henry III, the Magna Carta, and the monarch’s enduring, if often overlooked, legacy.
From medieval politics to modern scholarship, and from shimmering gold to the painstaking science of authentication, this conversation strikes the perfect balance between art, history, and inquiry.
It’s an episode truly worth its weight in gold.

In this charming and illuminating episode, we are joined by Marcus Budgen, Head of Medals & Special Commissions, and Owain Raw-Rees, long-time friend, collaborator, author and passionate collector.

Together, they explore the world of medal collecting through three remarkable medals, each with its own story. From tales of bravery and adventure to the quiet art of historical discovery, Marcus and Owain bring the past to life with warmth, humour, and deep expertise.

Owain reflects on his lifelong fascination with medals, his journey as a writer and historian. It’s a conversation that’s truly worthy of distinction, a gleaming look into a world where every piece has a story to tell.

In this Halloween special, Arnas (Global Banknotes Coordinator) and Axel (Head of Ancient Coins) explore the curious crossroads between history, folklore, and collecting. From coins that cross the River Styx to banknotes featuring myths, they uncover the stories that blur the line between superstition and art.

This episode traces the origins of Halloween itself, from its early rituals to its modern imagery, revealing how stories of the supernatural often mirror the way we preserve and treasure the past.

Stay tuned for a special apparition halfway through, from the depths of the Spink Archive with Tim Robson.

Tune in...if you dare.

Time was everything at Trafalgar. As cannon fire echoed across the sea and the fate of Europe hung in the balance, three gold pocket watches ticket steadily on. One in the pocket of Admiral Lord Nelson, another with Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, and a third with Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy.

In this episode, Senior Specialist Tim Robson and Special Guest Martyn Downer explore the remarkable stories behind these watches: how they marked the moments of Britain's greatest naval victory, the loss of its greatest hero, and the long journey that brought them together again for the first time since 1805.

More than objects of craftsmanship, they are silent witnesses to history, and reminders than even in battle, every second counts.

From postmarks to pop culture, the world of stamps has always delivered more than just postage. In this episode, Josh Barber and Tom Fell - our Heads of the Stamp Department, explore why collectors are drawn to these miniature works of art, trace the story of the very first philatelist, and reveal how stamps became cultural icons.

Signed, sealed, and most certainly collected, this is one First Class Story you will not want to miss.

Step into the fascinating world of paper money with Arnas Savickas, our Head of Banknotes at Spink, and leading expert and banknote dealer Simon Narbeth. Together, uncover the remarkable history of banknotes: how they first emerged, the artistry behind the design, and the reasons they continue to captivate collectors across the globe.

From tales of Operation Bernhard, the audacious WWII plot to destabilise Britain, to the fine engravings and hidden details that make each note a miniature masterpiece, this episode explores how banknotes embody both power and beauty.

Whether used as instruments of war, symbols of trust, or works of arts passed from hand to hand, banknotes are more than just currency-they are fragments of history. Joins Arnas and Simon as we ask: how does money itself become art?