We Don’t Just Sell Coins, We Know Coins
With over 50 years in the coin and bullion trade we really do know our stuff, although we learn new things every day! All of our team are trained in identifying fakes, grading coins and buying and selling all coins, bullion and jewellery.
We guarantee that every time you telephone Chard your call will be answered in-house by a trained member of staff – and if you should happen to get a trainee they will let you know and ask if you are happy to be a part of their learning journey.
Inform, Educate and Inspire
We would love to say that our motto is to "inform, educate and entertain” but unfortunately Lord Reith beat us to it at the BBC about 100 years ago, so our motto is “Inform, Educate and Inspire.”
Our websites are about a 50 / 50 split of information pages and product pages. We prefer to give our customers good quality, impartial information and advice, to help them come to the best decision, rather than use pushy hype and salesmanship.
In an industry where knowledge is key we believe it is extremely important to be transparent, and we publish our premiums so they are there for all to see. We are happy to discuss our margins with anyone who asks and do not hide behind prices or complicated formulae.
Over 50 Years
It’s hard to believe that we have now been in business in sunny Blackpool for over 50 years. We have seen precious metal prices fall and rise, VAT added to investment products and then removed, the United Kingdom join and (possibly) leave the EU and we have seen nine prime ministers!
From our small beginnings we have now developed into a multi-million pound business, employing fifteen members of staff, serving customers all over the world and still working on the same basic principles.
The Very Beginning
Born and bred in Blackpool, Lawrence Chard realised from an early age that there was money to be made from money – coins to be exact.
The grandson of a penny arcade owner, Lawrence started working in the family business aged just seven. 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 Chard began.
R & L Coins Blackpool
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 and 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.
Lytham Road Coin Dealers
Lawrence persevered and bought our Lytham Road, Blackpool premises in 1968, aged just 20 (he’s had some very long years, he still claims to be only 29). No. 521 was much bigger than No 10; we carried out 2 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 little old ladies walked past and stated “that'll never last!” – we are pleased to have proved them wrong – in fact we have probably outlived them!
In 2015 we were pleased to welcome Juliana Chard on to our team. After a career in hospital pharmacy she is now following in her father's footsteps and helps with the daily activities in the business including grading coins.
Harrowside Premises
When we first looked round 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.
We are pleased to say we now have lots of ‘mod-cons’ including tablets for you to view our sites, disabled access, customer toilets and trade magazines for you to read at your leisure.
Visitors are always welcome and it It is always advisable to arrive in good time, so we can help / serve you better
Testimonials
