The heyday of design was about the time of the Crimean. After 1880, the art was dying and although there were pieces issued at the time of the Boer War the standard generally was lower than in the preceding period. The point to remember is that if the piece is rare, then a repair does not seem to materially affect the value. Commond figures which have been repaired or restored should be avoided - unless a substantial reductions are given for such damaged pieces. S erious effect on the value Restorations tend to discolour much more easily than repairs, and for that reason they have a far more serious effect on the value of a piece.
Gilding always seems to be weak point in restoration.