United States Department of State, Washington. Image: AgnosticPreachersKid via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Is the State Department funding a crusade against private ownership of cultural goods in the U.S.? Peter Tompa explains how taxpayer money was used to justify cultural property Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or “emergency import restrictions.”

Numisstaxx offers various models for collectors, dealers and mints.

Numisstaxx: The Launch of a New Innovative Platform

The new platform Numisstaxx aims to allow its users to easily digitalize and share coins and create certificates of authenticity in a forgery-proof environment.

Ursula Kampmann with Keith Twitchell at the 2024 NYINC. Foto: Sebastian Wieschowski.

ACCG Introduces Their New Executive Director

Since January 1, 2024 the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild has had a new Executive Director: Keith Twitchell. Twitchell replaces Peter Tompa, who will remain active on the ACCG Board of Directors

Peter K. Tompa.

Peter K. Tompa Appointed as New IAPN Executive Director

The International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) has a new Executive Director: Peter K. Tompa succeeds Jean-Luc Van der Schueren.

Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.

Classical Numismatic Group

Classical Numismatic Group ⸱ Electronic Auction 555 ⸱ 7 February 2024 ⸱ Online

CNG’s Electronic Auction 555 includes 1197 lots. The sale is headlined by Renaissance coins of Naples from the J. Eric Engstrom Collection and ancient coins from the Wayne Scheible Collection.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries

Stack’s Bowers Galleries ⸱ NYINC 2024 Auction ⸱ 12-18 January 2024 ⸱ New York

Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions ⸱ NYINC Signature Auction ⸱ 16-18 January 2024 ⸱ New York

Heritages 2024 NYINC Auction brought nearly $16 million with impressive results.

Kolbe & Fanning

Kolbe & Fanning ⸱ Sale 169 ⸱ 17 February 2024 ⸱ Online

It is maybe the finest privately owned library on ancient Greek coins in existence: the famous BCD Library. Now, the library will be sold in several auctions at Kolbe & Fanning. The first sale focuses on published collections, general works, periodicals, and landmark publications.

Hustle and Bustle at one of the two ballrooms: The New York Numismatic International Convention is known for stylish and elegant venues. Photo: Sebastian Wieschowski-

Classical Numismatics Gets Off to a Great Start to 2024 in New York

The 52nd New York International Numismatic Convention was held from 12 to 14 January at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel. All the “sold” signs on the dealers’ tables clearly show that classical numismatics is still in high demand.