I have to go to London for work week after next. Aside from sitting in offices that look exactly like my offices in NY, are there any good ancient coin shops I should check out? I'll have some time on Tuesday to walk around a bit. Post a coin from London to make this official
I just got back from London a couple of weeks ago. Honestly I didnt have much time for my geek hobby. I did go down to Grey's Antiques and was saddened that there were no coin or antiquity dealers left there (most of that business has moved to Munich). There are a couple antiquity shops in that area, but they refused to open the door for me (they can be stodgy, if you dont have an introduction, prior appointment or are not wearing a suit they likely wont open the door for you either). I did stop in at Bonhams though, where they were much friendlier and allowed me to peruse many millions of dollars in paintings. Anyway, you might check in with CNG while there.
Baldwin’s was very nice. I can post the three ancients I got there, or I can post a modern(ish) British coin made in London I got there. Your call.
It's been a few years, but I always go to the NAC office in London when I'm there. Although they are primarily an auction firm, they have always had an array of retail trays, and I've come away with some good finds. Years ago, I would visit Spink and still have some coins in my collection from those visits. Even in this day when coin shops are reaching extinction, London has a lot to offer.
If I were to find myself in London with me to kill, I'd go to the British Museum and buy my ancient coins after I returned home. This was posted in the Ancients section so you have to expect someone would have an answer like that.
Good point Doug. My plan is to go to the British museum if time allows. That unfortunately may have to wait until I can get over for a vacation. Great recommendations everyone. I’ll definitely try to get to Spink.
There's actually a coin shop across the street from the British Museum, with a broad selection of ancient coins: Coincraft. I'd also recommend Baldwin's, NAC and Spink.
Thank you for posting this. I knew that I had once visited a good coin shop right by the BM, but I couldn't remember the name. They had a nice selection. Keep in mind though, that ancient coins are generally more expensive in Europe than in the US due to exchange rates, so you're not likely to find any bargains. But you will see a lot of nice coins at Coincraft.
They can be very expensive though, I suspect because of their location. Back about 1992 or so I bought a really nice Hadrian Britannia As. Wish I had kept it, turned out to be cheap then and now.
Take a side trip to Bath where a large hoard of coins was found(17,000) Mixed Roman over centuries. Local shops and gift area have offerings.
I'd recommend also visiting the British Library right next to St. Pancras. They have an original Magna Carta and some other incredible historical documents, books, and music scores, from classical music to the Beatles.
Awesome I’m building some time into my schedule on Tuesday. I land at 6:30am and will have to force my self to stay awake. I find that powering through a cities attractions helps with that. Once I get to the hotel it’s lights out.
O.K. We'll make it official as you said it, coin-friend. Here's a coin of Constantine the Great which was struck in the British capital. It has Sol , the Roman god of the shining sun on reverse. PLN in exergue. Reduced Follis. RIC VII - 10. Bon Voyage.
Adding a vote for British Museum with photos from a visit 2 years ago: Nereid Monument, tomb of Arbinas from Xanthos, Lycia, circa 390 BC. and a coin from Londinium: Constantinus II as Caesar (316-337 AD) AE3 Mint: Londinium, 322-323 AD. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN N C, radiate, draped an cuirassed bust left. Rev: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, globe set on altar inscribed VOT/IS / XX; F - B in fields. in exergue, PLON. Ref: RIC VII, Londinium, 255.
I suppose this is an appropriate issue: London mint, A.D. 310-312 RIC 133 Obv: CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev: ADVE-NTVS AVG - Prince on horseback holding spear and raising right hand; captive in front PLN in exergue; star in right field 21 x 24 mm, 4.2 g.
CONSTANTINE I AE2 Follis OBVERSE: Constantine I AE3. 315-316 AD. IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol, radiate, standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding globe, right hand raised, S-F across fields, MLN in ex. Struck at London 315-16 AD 3.1g, 20mm RIC VII 43 CONSTANTINE I AE2 OBVERSE: IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG- Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI T-F across fileds, PLN in ex.- Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe Struck at London 310 AD 4.0g, 24mm RIC VI Londinium 121a/122 LICINIUS I AE2 Follis OBVERSE: IMP LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: GENIO POP ROM S-F, Genius standing left, modius on head, loins draped, holding patera & cornucopia, PLN in ex. Struck at London 313-4 AD 3.2g, 22mm RIC VII 3 CRISPUS AE Follis OBVERSE: CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI, Sol standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding globe and raising right hand. Crescent in left field. Mintmark PLN. Toone 194; Bourton-on-the-Water hoard 1464-1466 Struck at London 318 AD 3.2, 21mm RIC VII 144 CONSTANTINE II AE Follis OBVERSE: CONSTANTI-NVS IVN NC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left REVERSE: BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS, globe on altar inscribed VOT / IS / XX, three stars above, PLON in ex. Struck at London 323-324 AD 2.5g, 19mm RIC VII 284
I often work in London and like to pop in to Spink from time to time when walking past from Kings Cross. As others have said, the book selection is good (Coins of England and the United Kingdom are my go to books) and often interesting other cabinets to look in. Coincraft is just over from the British Museum and there are others scattered around, but more around Denmark Street and Trafalgar Square but I have never found much affinity with any of them. I certainly would doubt that you'd find any bargains even with your fairly strong Dollar. If you are in London on Saturday mornings, there is a show in an underground car park next to Starbucks in Embankment. This used to be quite large but has decreased win size and quality over the years - possibly better for stamps and Postcards now. If I had a short while in London I would be more inclined to target that which cannot be seen in the US. The British Museum is fantastic but too large to just wander around with no plan. Do some research prior to going and see what interests you most. The National Gallery is also a fantastic visit but again is large.
I guess you'll miss it, but there are coin fairs on the first Saturday of every month. In February, June, September & November, there's the London Coin Fair, which is good for ancient coins - http://www.coinfairs.co.uk/london-coin-fair.aspx. On the other months, there's the Bloomsbury Coin Fair, which I haven't gone to, but seems reasonable too - http://www.bloomsburycoinfair.com/future-show-dates.php ATB, Aidan.