Selling With Us

Whether you are selling a single item or an entire collection, Mowbray Collectables offers a stress-free and professional service from appraisal through to settlement. 

Our team of ten assessors are specialised in the sale of stamps, coins, medals, banknotes and other related collectables. We have built a reputation as New Zealand's leading auction house in these fields. With thousands of buyers across the world, selling with Mowbrays opens your items up to a worldwide market. This helps achieve the strongest market price for your collection.

We are the specialists  Selling made easy  Having the right buyers  Getting you the best value  Trusted by collectors  FAQ

We are the specialists

At Mowbray Collectables, our team includes some of New Zealand’s most respected specialists in stamps, coins, banknotes, medals, postal history and other related collectables. 

Collectively, our experts have a combined experience of 300 years, have authored 26 books and have written hundreds of articles for collecting publications around the world.

When you sell with Mowbray Collectables, you are putting your collection in the hands of recognised specialists who know how to identify rarity, understand historical importance and present each item to the right market to achieve the best possible result. You can learn more about our staff by clicking here.

Selling made easy

Selling with Mowbrays is a straightforward. We can assess a single item or an entire collection, provide professional advice on the most suitable way to sell, and guide you through every step from consignment to settlement. Our team keeps you informed throughout the, making selling simple and stress-free. You can read about the full in more detail in our FAQ below.

Having the right buyers

Successful auctions rely on reaching the right buyers. Our extensive international mailing list, established client base, and strong online presence ensure your items are seen by collectors throughout New Zealand and around the world. This competitive bidding helps achieve the strongest market price for your collection.

Getting you the best value

Our experienced specialists understand how to present and market collectables to maximise interest. Every item is carefully described, researched and photographed to highlight its importance and appeal. By combining expert cataloguing with targeted marketing, we help your collection attract the attention it deserves.

Trusted by collectors

For generations, collectors, families, executors and institutions have trusted Mowbray Collectables to handle their collections. Our reputation has been built on knowledge, integrity and personal service, with many clients returning to us time and again when they have material to sell.

When you entrust your collection to Mowbray Collectables, you are choosing an auction house with a reputation built over generations and recognised throughout the international collecting community. Our staff and directors are members of the following organisations:

  • Auctioneers Association of New Zealand
  • New Zealand Stamp Dealers Association (NZSDA)
  • New Zealand Numismatic Dealers Association (NZNDA)
  • Orders & Medals Research Society, New Zealand Branch (OMRS)
  • International Bank Note Society (IBNS)
  • Philatelic Traders’ Society (PTS) – London  
  • Australia Philatelic Traders’ Association (APTA)
  • American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA)
  • Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand (RPSNZ)
  • Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand (RNSNZ)
  • Numismatic Association of Australia (NAA) 

FAQ

What Collectables do you deal in?

We deal in a wide range of collectables. Below is a list of the main items we handle, but please feel free to get in contact if you have something that you think might be of interest to us.
  • Stamps
  • Coins
  • War Medals
  • Banknotes
  • Postal History 
  • Commemorative Medals & Medallions  
  • Postcards
  • Historic Documents
  • High Value Sports Memorabilia 
  • Tokens
  • Badges 
  • Other Militaria (excluding guns)

What are Mowbrays contact details and opening hours?

Telephone: +64 6 364 8270

Email: auctions@mowbrays.nz

Street Address
247-253 Main Highway
Otaki 5512
New Zealand

Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Fridays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed weekends & public holidays

What is the process to have my collectables assessed, and how long does it take?

Get in contact: 
You can send example photos, lists or descriptions of your items to us, or you can talk to one of the team over the phone. We aim to respond to all initial website & email enquiries within 1-3 working days. To contact us, click here

Consigning:
Once we have an idea of what you have, we can recommend making an appointment to bring your items in or send them to us for a no-obligation assessment.

Assessing your collection:
The time it takes to assess a collection varies a lot. For some items, we can make proposals on the spot, but for larger collections we require more time to do a detailed assessment. Our team can give you an indication of how long they think this will take when talking to you.

Auction:
If you agree to proceed to auction, your items will be considered for one or more of our major auctions that are held in March, June & September each year. We will package, photograph and market your items in the lead-up to the sale. To have time to do this, we ideally need material 8-12 weeks before each auction.

Settlement:
Payment is made approximately eight weeks after the sale. We allow this time so that any queries can be dealt with, including allowing time for international buyers to settle with us and review their purchases.

What are the standard terms for selling at auction?

Reserve: 70% of our estimate
Commission: 15% on sales
Insurance Charge: 1% of estimate 
Unsold lot fee: $10

GST applies to these charges for NZ vendors only

Is my collection insured while it is with you?

Yes, your collection is insured at all times. If you are sending items to us, please get in contact before sending to confirm insurance details with us while in transit.

How do I get my material to you?

If you live in the lower North Island, you are welcome to bring your items to our Otaki office. An appointment is not required, but we do recommend making one to ensure staff availability. We will travel for major collections, and we have staff members based in Kapiti, Wellington, Canterbury & Waikato.

If you are outside these areas, you can send the collection to us; please contact us first to confirm insurance details. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us; click here

Do you buy items instead of offering them at auction?

Yes. While auction is often the best way to achieve the strongest price, we can also offer to purchase items directly or, where appropriate, broker a private sale.

Direct purchases are generally considered for lower-value items or collections that are not suited to auction. We provide a no-obligation assessment and recommend the best option based on what you are selling. 

What information/documents do I need to provide?

As an auction house and second-hand dealer, we will require some information from you when you consign items to us. We are obliged to do this under NZ law.

  • Name 
  • Address
  • Contact number & email 
  • Photo ID
  • Bank account name and number for payment

Do you work with estates and Powers of Attorney? 

Yes. We have extensive experience handling deceased estates and sales on behalf of Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOA).

We understand that dealing with a collection after someone has passed away can be a difficult and emotional time, particularly when items have significant sentimental value. Our experienced team takes care of the from assessment through to sale, helping to make things as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

For estates and EPOA sales, we will require some additional documentation to confirm that we are authorised to proceed, and we can guide you through exactly what is needed.