Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 37 i Coin Collector

This edition of Coin Collector includes an article on William Wyon, the legendary engraver, who was responsible for several iconic British coins, including the Gothic Crown, which was first issued in 1847. With its ornate portrait of Queen Victoria and mediaeval-style lettering, this coin drew upon the Gothic Revival movement, which was so popular in Britain at the time. The Gothic Revival marked a renewed interest in the mediaeval era, replacing the influence of neoclassicalism, which had previously been the predominant style. This interest in the mediaeval included literature, with novels like Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe proving popular. In interior design, the work of artists from the Arts and Crafts Movement, led by William Morris with his intricate textiles and wallpapers, was inspired by the craftsmanship of the mediaeval period.…

A new exhibition titled ‘The Coin Hoard of Merishausen’ has opened at the Museum zu Allerheiligen in Switzerland. The exhibition traces the story of a hoard that was hidden in Merishausen around 1554 and rediscovered in 1922 during construction work. Over 1,000 silver and gold coins were discovered in a jar, with the majority of the coins originating from southern German cities, but some were from other countries. The exhibition takes a closer look at the coins and, along with other objects, places the find in its chronological context. The exhibition runs until 19 October. A collection of coins from around the globe assembled by a successful businessman from Singapore is to be auctioned by Heritage. ‘Selections from the Peh Family Collection’ will be offered at Heritage Auctions in Hong…

The death of a loved one is a moment of sorrow. The family gathers, shedding tears for the departed and reminiscing about shared experiences. But once the initial shock fades, an uncomfortable reality often sets in – the inheritance. And when that inheritance includes a coin collection, what unfolds is a spectacle that wavers between comedy and tragedy. Before long, the old cabinet is opened – the very one where the deceased carefully guarded their treasures for decades. With precision, the collection was meticulously curated, placed in albums, sealed in capsules and proudly shown off at every family gathering. Now, the relatives stand before it, wondering: ‘What’s it all worth?’ At first, excitement runs high. After all, Grandpa always spoke of his ‘valuable pieces’ with great pride. ‘Look at this…

It might seem strange to claim that William Wyon (1795–1851)was and is Britain’s most truly popular artist. After all, he is hardly a household name today. Yet it is probably true that his work has been seen by more people than that of any other British artist in history. A brilliant modeller in low relief, whose talent for flattering portraits won him the favour of George IV, William IV and most importantly Queen Victoria, his coins circulated in Britain, and around the world, and were seen and used by hundreds of millions of people. Outdoing even the coins, Wyon’s portrait of Victoria, which appeared on her stamps from 1840 until the end of her reign, was printed in many billions, becoming familiar to much of the world population. EARLY LIFE…

I am sometimes asked how I began collecting and researching medals – what was the spark that ignited a passion that has lasted a lifetime? A boyhood love of toy soldiers developed into a broader interest in military history and a small collection of British Army cap badges and buttons. But it never occurred to me to buy medals until I went to stay with my newly married older sister in Bristol when I was 15. She and her husband had bought a flat in the centre of the city, and for a country boy such as me, the chance to explore Bristol without the encumbrance of parents was rather exciting. I came across Christmas Steps, a wonderfully Dickensian narrow hill going down into the city centre. It was lined…

In the next few weeks, the 2026 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book) will begin to ship. The Red Book is considered the ‘bible of numismatics’ in the United States. Over 25,000,000 copies have been printed since its introduction in 1947, making it one of the largest circulating non-fiction titles ever. Each year, hundreds of thousands of copies are sold around the country and internationally. What makes the Red Book special is that the book is considered a must-have item for anyone new to the hobby and to seasoned experts alike. Most coin dealers have one within arm’s length in their shops and offices. The Red Book has been essential reading for generations of collectors. After serving about two decades of apprenticeship, I was named…

Many coin hoards are discovered every year. In Britain, these range from the Iron Age of the late-1st century BC to comparatively modern caches hidden in the 20th century. This is the first of a short series of articles looking at coin hoards, why they were buried, why they were never recovered at the time, how they have been later recovered, what then happens to them, what they can tell us and whether the cachet that a coin from a hoard has makes any difference to collectors. RANGE OF HOARDS A couple of years ago, I co-curated an exhibition at King’s Lynn Museum, ‘Hoards: Archaeological Treasures from West Norfolk’, which displayed a selection of these hoards found in the local area spanning most of the 2,000-year period mentioned above. The…

8 April – Noonans 16–17 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8BQ www.noonans.co.uk 9 April – C&T High House Business Park, Kenardington, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2LF www.candtauctions.co.uk 15–16 April – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 16 April – Warwick & Warwick Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Road, Warwick CV34 5DB www.warwickandwarwick.com 7 May – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 7 May – Tennants Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG www.tennants.co.uk…

In the ‘Treasure Hunt’ column in the September 2024 edition of Coin Collector, we took a first look into the work of Czesław Słania (1921–2005) as a banknote engraver and designer, with examples of his proofs for Sweden, Portugal, Brazil and Belgium. Since then, some more offers with original printings of banknote details created by Słania have appeared on the market. In the 1980s, Czesław Słania worked on a series of banknotes for the Central Bank of Israel. The institution was founded in August 1954, when the Bank of Israel Law passed the issuing of currency and regulatory functions from the Ministry of Finance. From June 1952, the Israeli pound (lira yisraelit, which was shortened to ‘IL’) was the currency of the state of Israel. It was pegged to pound…