The History of Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer

Born and bred in Blackpool, Lawrence Chard realised from an early age that there was profit to be made from coins. The grandson of a penny arcade owner, Lawrence started working in the family business at just seven years old. One of his first jobs was selling cold drinks at the family’s tea cart before he progressed to emptying the machines and sorting the coins, and that is how Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer began!

A regular customer to the arcades gave Lawrence and his cousin Robert Alan Chard a buying list of pennies and other British coins, and from this R. & L. Coins was born in 1964. A two-man business built on honesty, trust, transparency, and integrity opened in a tiny shop at 10 Dale Street. When Robert went to university aged nineteen in 1965, he sold his share to Lawrence.

With a keen interest in numismatics and a commitment to ethical business practices, Lawrence continued to grow the business. This humble beginning was driven by a passion for coins and a dedication to providing honest and transparent service to collectors and investors alike.

Lawrence persevered and bought our Lytham Road, Blackpool premises in 1968, aged just 20 (he still claims to be only 29). No. 521 was much bigger than No 10; we carried out two renovations there, and it served us well for over 40 years, but we eventually outgrew it.

When our Lytham Road premises was being refurbished in 1968, two elderly ladies walked past and remarked, “that'll never last!” – we are pleased to have proved them wrong. In fact, we have probably outlived them!

This new space allowed for a broader selection of bullion and collectible coins, meeting the growing demands of our customers. The opening of this store marked a significant expansion and demonstrated our commitment to adapting and growing with the market.

As the digital age dawned, Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer embraced the opportunities it presented by launching our online platform in 1999. We were among the first in the UK to offer bullion products through an E-commerce site, setting a precedent for the industry. This move not only expanded our reach but also made investing in precious metals more accessible to a broader audience.

After 50 years in business, Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer continued to grow with the acquisition of a new showroom at 32-36 Harrowside in Blackpool. When we first looked around 32-36 Harrowside in 2012, it was a horrible empty shell filled with old mail, rusty pipes, pigeon droppings, feathers, and pigeons; dead and alive. We are pleased to say that after a major refurbishment, we can now call this amazing art deco building our home - complete with stained glass windows and a mirror ball - and we would love to welcome you inside.

This modern facility allowed us to better serve our customers with improved amenities and a more extensive selection of bullion and numismatic products. We are pleased to say we now have many ‘mod-cons’ including tablets for you to view our sites, disabled access, customer toilets, and trade magazines for you to read at your leisure.

This strategic move represents our dedication to providing unparalleled service to clients across the UK, with a physical presence in both the North and the South of England. The Hatton Garden office is poised to cater to a diverse clientele, offering the same level of integrity and expertise that has defined Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer since its inception.

The LBMA sets the Good Delivery Benchmarks, establishing strict standards for the quality, weight, and purity of gold and silver bars, and maintains the Good Delivery List of approved refiners. It also provides internationally recognised price benchmarks and enforces the Global Precious Metals Code, promoting ethical practices and governance across the industry.

As we look to the future, Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer remains committed to upholding the values of integrity, honesty, and transparency that have been our hallmark for sixty years. With offices in Blackpool and Hatton Garden, we are uniquely positioned to serve customers nationwide, providing expert advice and high-quality products from two locations.

Our vision for the future includes expanding our product offerings, leveraging technological advancements to enhance customer experience, and continuing to build lasting relationships based on trust and reliability. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to helping our customers navigate the evolving landscape of precious metals investment.