Headed to London

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by frankjg, Mar 15, 2019.

  1. frankjg

    frankjg Well-Known Member

    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 :)
     
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  3. Ken Dorney

    Ken Dorney Yea, I'm Cool That Way...

    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.
     
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  4. Milesofwho

    Milesofwho Omnivorous collector

    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.
     
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  5. Milesofwho

    Milesofwho Omnivorous collector

    Actually, scratch that. It’s made in Birmingham. How could I forget?
     
  6. Fugio1

    Fugio1 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  7. akeady

    akeady Well-Known Member

    Spink has a good selection of books at least.
     
  8. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    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.
     
  9. frankjg

    frankjg Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  10. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    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.
     
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  12. Ken Dorney

    Ken Dorney Yea, I'm Cool That Way...

    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.
     
  13. Charles REid

    Charles REid Active Member

    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.
     
  14. AncientJoe

    AncientJoe Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  15. frankjg

    frankjg Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  16. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    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. ConsLond O     Ric7- 10.jpg ConsLon C3    reducFollis.jpg
     
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  17. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    Adding a vote for British Museum with photos from a visit 2 years ago:
    Capture.JPG
    Nereid Monument, tomb of Arbinas from Xanthos, Lycia, circa 390 BC.
    Capture.JPG
    and a coin from Londinium:
    Constantine II London.jpg
    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.
     
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  18. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    I suppose this is an appropriate issue:
    [​IMG]
    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.
     
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  19. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Constantine I 28.jpg
    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 10.jpg
    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 5a.jpg
    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 6 aa.jpg
    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 16.jpg
    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
     
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  20. tulipone

    tulipone Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  21. akeady

    akeady Well-Known Member

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