Coins

Touching History – Understanding History

“(…) the form of our countenance is impressed upon metal currency and you make a coin that will remind future ages about our reign.”

Cassiodorus, Variae VI 7, 3. – 6th century BC.

Collecting coins was once called the “Hobby of Kings”. In the Renaissance the European nobility

rediscovered the progressiveness of the ancient cultures in literature, philosophy and arts. Especially

the biographies of the first 12 Roman emperors (De vita Caesarum) by Sueton inspired the people to

collect coins of these emperors. Additionally ancient Greek and Byzantine coins were added to the

coin cabinets. Nowadays, almost all of these early collections are of great importance and in public

museums (e.g. in Paris, Berlin, Vienna, etc.). The first researchers started cataloging known coins and

noted down initial ideas for the interpretation of these and their representations in modern times.

Since the 19th century collecting ancient coins became available for a larger group of people and

smaller public coin cabinets were founded. During this time professionell societies established

themselves, public coin auctions became popular and important works on numismatics were

published. In the last decades investors have recognized the potential of high-quality coins as

investments, resulting in a high prizes at international auctions. Today everyone is able to own a

minted piece of history.

Coins illustrate the past. They are not only high quality artworks in miniature, but also sources for historical events, political circumstances and economic developments, they show religious, cultural, social and sometimes personal aspects from people of history. Pecunia Numismatics is dedicated to highlight the different aspects of coins and coinage.

“Pecunia” is Latin for money. The phrase “Pecunia non olet” (lat. money doesn’t stink) from the Roman emperor Vespasian is still famous today, but the word has a longer history: before coins were used for monetary transactions in Rome, wealth was measured in cattle. This influenced the early roman bars (aes signatum, 4th century BC.) that depict cattle. The word and its meaning was carried on through the centuries and found its way into today’s language (pecuniary).

Advise

With an in-depth knowledge in

ancient numismatics and the coin

market as well as good contact to dealers and

academics, we are able to offer you an

especially good advise for any area of ancient

coinage.

Selling

Whether you want to sell a collection or

individual coins, we provide a fast appraisal of

your coins and offer a fair price. All

transactions will be treated with the utmost

discretion.

Buying

You are looking for special coins, building a

collection on a specific topic or just want to

own a minted piece of history? We work with

many dealers and collectors and can probably

offer you special coins not available on the

international market.