2023 has been a formative numismatic year for me. I started collecting ancient coins around 2004 and slowly grew my collection to around 350 coins by 2012. I sold about two-thirds of my collection (approx. 250 coins) in late 2012 only keeping the most essential coins. From 2012 to 2022 I only made a few purchases; sometimes several years would pass between acquisitions. I “rediscovered” my small collection in December 2022 and a new spark had ignited my collecting curiosity. I started 2023 with several goals: Coins: Replace the coins I sold (approx. 250 coins) with similar or better specimens. I completed this task by adding more than 275 “meaningful” coins evenly distributed between Greek, Roman Imperial and Provincial. Reference Material: Acquire reference material for each type of coin in my collection. I have mostly completed this task by adding numerous books to my printed numismatic library and by creating an online database of digital reference materials. Supplies: To purchase all the supplies required for my growing collection. I have updated all my coin flips to PVC free archival flips. I have purchased enough PVC free archival binder pages to hold 1000 coins. I’m still researching archival 3-ring binders and may need to have them custom made. I purchased a new, more precise scale I purchased a high quality, multi-use, LED lit hand held magnifying glass. Purchased large format paper cutter Purchased coin insurance Numismatic Organizations: Join at least one professional numismatic organization. I joined several numismatic organizations: i. NGC ii. ANS iii. ANA iv. ACCG 5. Expand Numismatic Knowledge: Learn as much as I can about the coins that I purchase. 1. Share my experiences and learn from others: i. I have joined and contributed to several coin forums: a. Cointalk b. Numis Forums c. Forum Ancient Coins 2. Submit coins to databases: i. As my collection is catalogued I’m submitting to various online data bases: a. RPC Online b. Wildwinds c. Historia Numorum Online 3. Contacting experts / institutions regarding specific coins: i. BnF (Bibliothèque nationale de France) ii. British Museum – Department of Coins and Medals iii. ANA Money Museum iv. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany I'm looking at continuing and expanding these goals for 2024. Happy collecting to all.
Sounds like you had a good year! Incidentally, if you know how to get in touch with the Munich Collection please let me know! I've sent them probably half a dozen emails by now with nothing beyond an occasional form response. It's about a very rare coin which they have - I want to compare dies.
Check the employee list to see if there are additional employees you can contact. Usually its easier to contact "assistants" or curatorial staff. Some museums, like ANA Money Museum, have staff dedicated to helping collectors with research. This is who I sent correspondence too: Dr. Karsten Dahmen, Deputy Director (Münzkabinett) Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany k.dahmen@smb.spk-berlin.de
