By Rocco Clayfield, Founder & Director, GoldPaid Ltd · Published 5 April 2026 · updated 6 August 2026
When can inherited gold be sold during probate?
In England and Wales (and similarly in Scotland and Northern Ireland), an estate where the deceased owned assets above certain thresholds typically needs a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration) before assets can be formally administered. During that period, the executor or administrator is responsible for valuing the estate, paying any Inheritance Tax due and distributing what remains in line with the will or intestacy rules. Selling significant items before that process is complete can complicate the administration.
The wait is rarely short, which is why the question comes up at all. gov.uk states that you will usually get probate within 12 weeks of submitting the application, and that it can take longer where further information is needed (gov.uk, applying for probate). Through that period the executor or administrator, rather than the beneficiary, controls whether anything is sold. This page is general information about how the process usually runs, not legal advice, and an estate solicitor or gov.uk should settle anything specific to your own estate.
How does a probate valuation differ from a commercial valuation?
For the probate paperwork HMRC expects, jewellery and precious-metal items normally need a probate valuation prepared by a qualified valuer, often a jeweller, auctioneer or specialist valuer. This valuation reflects market value at the date of death. A postal buyer's written commercial offer, by contrast, is a present-day offer to buy, not a probate valuation. The two serve different purposes.
| Probate valuation | A postal buyer’s written offer | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for | The Inheritance Tax figures on form IHT400 and schedule IHT407 | An actual sale of the items, at today’s market |
| Date the value refers to | Open market value at the date of death | The live precious-metal rate on the day the offer is made |
| Who prepares it | A qualified valuer: a jeweller, auctioneer or specialist valuer | The buying company, from an XRF assay and a calibrated weight |
| Accepted by HMRC for probate | Yes, that is its purpose | No, not on its own |
| What it costs | Usually a fee, paid by the estate | Free, with no obligation to accept |
| When it is the right tool | While the estate is being administered | After distribution, when a beneficiary decides to sell |
Not sure how any of this applies to your own items? Send a photo on WhatsApp and ask. We answer honestly, there is no obligation, and nothing is posted until you decide. Or call 07944 014111, 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week.
What can a beneficiary do once the estate has been distributed?
Once the executor has distributed items to the beneficiaries, those beneficiaries decide what to do. Some keep everything. Some keep sentimental pieces and sell the rest. Some sell everything. A postal buyer fits at this point: a written, itemised XRF valuation, a no-obligation offer, and a free tracked return if it is not for you.
Does a beneficiary pay Capital Gains Tax on inherited gold?
If a beneficiary later sells inherited items, the CGT base cost is generally the probate value rather than the original purchase price. If the sale price is below the probate value, there may be no gain at all; if above, the gain may be within the chattel exemption (currently £6,000 per item) or the annual CGT allowance. This is general information, not tax advice, speak to a tax adviser for a specific position.
Common questions
Can an executor sell estate items themselves?
Yes, where the will allows and where doing so is in the estate's interests. Larger items are sometimes sold during administration to fund Inheritance Tax. Beneficiaries should be kept informed and a clear paper trail kept.
Is a postal buyer's offer acceptable as a probate valuation?
Not on its own. For HMRC purposes, use a qualified probate valuer. The postal buyer's offer is a commercial figure for an outright present-day sale.
What if items are jointly inherited?
Decide as a group what is sold and how the proceeds split. A written, itemised valuation gives everyone the same set of facts to work from. Our guide to dividing inherited jewellery between beneficiaries covers the methods families use.
Is the rule the same for an administrator as for an executor?
No, and this is the distinction that catches families out. An executor named in a valid will has authority from the date of death, and the grant confirms it. An administrator, where there is no will or no executor able to act, has no authority until the grant of letters of administration is issued. See do you need probate or a death certificate to sell inherited jewellery. This is general information, not legal advice.
Which HMRC form does jewellery go on?
Schedule IHT407, household and personal goods, filed with form IHT400. Individual items valued at £1,500 or more are listed separately at open market value at the date of death. Our IHT400 and IHT407 guide sets out what the form asks for.