while perhaps not a large name in Ancient numismatics, he was one in Medieval circles, particularly a scholar on Anglo-Saxon coinage. His obituary from the Guardian was posted by the ANA on Facebook (which is where I found it): https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/nov/19/michael-metcalf-obituary?CMP=share_btn_fb I have only read one of his books, which I reviewed here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fitzs-medieval-book-review.286343/page-5#post-3115970
I am so sorry to hear this, he was one of the last of the last generation who enlightened us in many aspects of Medieval/ Byzantine coinage. I have and use several of his books. We lost one of the greats. In my own collecting focus of tetartera he was the first to note billion tetartera. Small example of his many achievements in the field of numismatics.
An most notable scholar lost, but his works remain. Rejoice in the fact that he has contributed much in the realm of ancient numismatics.......
Thanks for this sad news, and the link. I can confirm what Nick Mayhew writes about Michael Metcalf’s generosity. One time I sent him a an early version of my most radical piece of writing (Gyges Magic Ring). He must have read it all carefully – since he quickly replied giving me an even more ancient source for a Persian political position than the one I had cited (and it was cited towards the very end of my text!) He treated arguments with the respect objectivity demands, and people generously with his time. I guess the 1966 episode Nick Mayhew refers to was a clash between Metcalf and Grieson? Grierson had intellectual roots way back in the Cambridge of the 1930’s. Never a communist, but rather “a friend of Russia”. The younger man, Metcalf, admired the alternative ideals of the early post WWII period, most especially those of Popper’s “Open Society”. I seem to recall he put a remembrance of Popper in one of his numismatic articles. Having said that, both men treated collectors and professional academics just the same, addressing positions objectively, in a generous spirited collegiate way. Both men were collectors themselves. Michael always replied on first name basis. Those days are slipping away fast now Rob T
