Spink Insider: The Podcast Where History is Valued

In this episode of the Spink Insider Podcast, Giuseppe Razza and Fernando Martínezexplore the remarkable world of Albanian postal history and hidden stories carried across one of Europe’s most complex frontiers.Far beyond stamps as objects, this conversation examines what postal history can reveal about empires, conflict, economics, and power. Through rare and extraordinary material, we trace Albania’s position between East and West and discuss how letters, covers, and forgotten postal routes can sometimes preserve details that official history has overlooked.From unique discoveries and legendary rarities to the personalities behind decades of research, this is a fascinating discussion about history told through paper, ink, and survival across dangerous borders.

At the Restoration court of Charles II, few figures were more talked about than Frances Stuart. Celebrated for her beauty and closely watched by the King and his circle, she navigated a world where visibility brought both opportunity and risk.In 1667, following the Peace of Breda, her image was used for something quite unexpected. On a medal by Jan Rottiers, Frances appears as Britannia—an enduring symbol of Britain’s identity. As Samuel Pepys noted at the time, her likeness was unmistakable.From there, the image moved onto coinage, placing Britannia and France, into everyday circulation. Over time, the connection to the woman herself was lost, and the figure became timeless.In this episode, we look at the story behind Britannia: the court, the image, and the woman at its centre.

The Spink Medals department is back for another exciting roundtable. Each specialist talks us through the selected highlight lots of the auction and shares the fascinating stories behind them. As always, bringing our catalogue to life in the most delightful way.

There are collectors who preserve, and those who live with what they love.In this episode, Tim Robson returns, joined by Will Robson - comic artist and avid collector. Together, they wander through the world of comic books: what draws people to them, how value is recognised, and which heroes have stood the test of time. With an unexpected and rather charming turn, they explore the balance between condition and connection - why some items are kept pristine, while others are handled, enjoyed and woven into daily life. From the craft behind comic illustration to the tactile pleasure of dropping a needle onto a record, this episode considers what it truly means to collect. 

In this episode of the Spink Insider Podcast, Head of Medals Marcus Budgen returns alongside medal specialist Robert Wilde-Evans for a thoughtful and personal conversation about how they both found their way into the world of military medals.Together they discuss the honour and privilege of working with objects that represent the lives, service, and sacrifices of men and women across history. Each medal carries a story, and uncovering those stories offers a powerful connection to the past. This episode is a warm and fascinating look at the people behind the medals, and the remarkable stories these small objects can tell.

What might be hiding in your jewellery box?In this episode, Spink Specialists Ella Mackenzie and Tim Robson explore how to assess the value of jewellery. From antique rings and signed pieces to gemstones and even family heirlooms, they explain the factors that contribute to value and the details that are often overlooked. Whether you are simply curious or beginning to research your own collection, this episode offers a thoughtful introduction to how jewellery is understood and valued.

The Spink Insider returns with a story of ambition, audacity and one of the most extraordinary financial frauds of the twentieth century. In this episode, Arnas Savickas is joined by long-time friend of Spink, author and banknote specialist Jonathan Calloway to unravel the infamous case of Artur Alves dos Reis - the mastermind whose forget banknotes came perilously close to collapsing Portugal's banking system. Jonathan takes us deep into Reis's elaborate schemes: from assembling an international cast of accomplices or "world profiteers", to his bold plan to commission banknotes indistinguishable from those already in circulation. With expert insight and vivid storytelling, this episode explores how confidence, paperwork, and persuasion proved just as powerful as ink and paper - and how one man's fraud exposed the vulnerability of modern banking. 

All you always wanted to know about cigars without daring to ask.From a family tobacconist in Geneva to one of the world’s most respected cigar houses, Davidoff’s story is rooted in time, terroir and craftsmanship.In this episode, Spink CEO Olivier is joined by Laurent de Rougemont, CEO of Davidoff of Geneva Asia, for a conversation recorded in Hong Kong. Together, they explore cigars not only as objects of pleasure, but as cultural artefacts and emerging collectibles, drawing on history, connoisseurship and auction data.By order of the UK Government: No tobacco product shall be sold to a person under the age of 18, nor given as a gift or for promotional purposes to any person.

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?

Gold has captivated humanity for thousands of years. From the treasures of Tutankhamun to the myth of El Dorado, from Roman coins that carried emperors' faces across empires to modern currencies shaped by golden imagery. In this episode, Ella Mackenzie (Coins Specialist) and Olivia Collier  (Banknotes Specialist) explore why civilisations revered gold, its role in religion, culture and power- and why, even today, we are still drawn to its weight, brilliance, and everlasting value. From King Midas to today's soaring gold prices, discover why all that glitters endures through time.

From Napoleon's resilience to Queen Elizabeth's royal portrait, the written word has preserved some of the most intimate fragments of history. In this episode, Head of GB Stamps-Thomas Fell and Senior Specialist-Ian Shapiro open the vaults of extraordinary letters and photographs, exploring why these documents endure, what they reveal, and why collectors treasure them. More than ink and paper, they are incredible stories frozen in time.

In AD 286, a highly capable Roman general named Carausius rebelled against the imperial regime and set up his own empire in Britannia. The so-called “arch-pirate” ruled over Britain, parts of Northern France and Belgium, repelled a major invasion force led by the Emperor Maximian, and survived far longer than most legitimate emperors of the period before his assassination in 293. The “Britannic Empire” was soon subdued and reconquered by the future emperor Constantius ‘Chlorus’ and was soon erased from history. However, thanks partly to the huge array of coins struck by Carausius and his successor, Allectus, historians and numismatists have managed to piece together their thrilling story. Axel Kendrick, Head of Ancient Coins, speaks to Graham Barker, author and honorary research fellow at the University of Warwick, about this fascinating tale of the first independent rulers of a unified Britain.Graham Barker is an independent researcher and honorary research fellow at the University of Warwick. He is the author of Imperial Legitimation, and co-author of The Rebel Emperors of Britannia.

In this episode, we uncover the stories behind Admiral Nelson's greatest objects, including his bloodstained purse from Trafalgar, the legendary Jacobean Cup, and the extraordinary objects that shaped history. Hosted by Senior Specialist Tim Robson, featuring special guest Martin Downer. Discover the passion behind collecting and why these objects continue to captivate us centuries later.

Step back into the magnificent world of the Tudors, as special guest Dr. Peter Stiffel joins our Head of Coins, Gregory Edmund to discuss and explore the life and legacy of Queen Mary I. In this episode, we uncover why her reign remains one of the most controversial in English history, trace the origins of her infamous nickname, and delve into the fascinating coinage of her era. From the 'copper nose' coins of her father, Henry VIII, to the monetary reforms under Mary and Edward VI, we reveal how politics, religion, and power shaped the very currency of the realm. A tale of blood, belief, and the coins that carried a queen's image into history. 

Welcome to our first episode of Spink Insider: The Podcast Where History is Valued. In this episode, Arnas Savickas (Global Coordinator Banknotes), and Robert Wilde-Evans (Medals Specialist) take us through the stories of the Victoria Cross, iconic battles, military history and more.