This is very good news for London as a numismatic centre. It was but two-and-a-half years ago that my annual tabulation of coin auctions bore the headline: The lights are going out all over London. Since then Morton and Eden have set up with considerable success and which is set to continue, and Arsantiqva have chosen London as their venue. It is so nice to have been wrong.
NAC, as their name implies, specialise in the very best material from the Greek and Roman periods. But they also are noted for fine medieval coins, mostly connected to Italy. In addition to this they hold sales of interesting but less costly coins. It seems that their main rivals will be the Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) who have had an office in London for some years and although they hold their sales in the States they handle similar material.
They are not likely to tread on the toes of the older London established firms. Rather London will be the greater centre.
It is not yet apparent whether NAC will hold sales in the country but Antiques Trade Gazette readers will be the first to learn of developments. What is known is that NAC have a spectacular collection of Roman gold coins of all periods lined up. If they do have sales in London they will be closely following another firm with an Italian slant.
This is Arsantiqva. Attentive readers will remember that this firm held the first of three projected sales of Venetian coins this April last. This catalogue and the further two projected must now be considered standard works on their subject.
This move seems to be following a trend to diversify out of Switzerland which has been a main centre for some of the the greatest sales since the Pozzi collection (he was murdered) was dispersed in 1920.
For instance, Münzen und Medaillen of Basel (founded by the late Dr. Herbert Cahn in 1933) finds it necessary to have branch offices both in Germany and the US and they hold their sales in both countries. It appears that the reason for this trend is that these coins, despite being cultural objects, are now subject to an unbearable and increasing amount of fiscal burden and administration. Mostly this is connected with VAT. It is so much less hassle and less costly to base dealings within the EU or to a lesser extent with the US. The next year should be exciting in London.
Now the Swiss roll into town
The Zurich firm Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC) are opening an office in London. Negotiations for a Crown lease on prestigious premises in Waterloo Place (SW1) are well under way although they have suffered a slight setback which I understand will be resolved in the very near future. An autumn opening is planned.
