Dealer Noble coining it in with collectors

The rising number of collectors and investors seeking alternative asset classes saw Noble enjoy a far stronger second half than expected.

The Chinese market for rare collectables is growing rapidly and the firm's Hong Kong auction and fair in August was its best to date.

Shares rose 9.5p to 176p.

Noble is auctioning the multi-million pound Prospero Collection of 600 coins from ancient Greece, including an exceedingly rare silver dekadrachm issued during the time of Alexander the Great.