Müseler, Wilhelm
Former head of the department of ancient coins at Peus Nachf.
Wilhelm Müseler (1952-2023) completed his studies of (Ancient) History and Philosophy, combined with changing minor subjects, with the Master’s degree in 1979. He studied not only in Tübingen and Konstanz but also in Saarbrücken where he came into contact with numismatic issues for the first time under Peter Robert Franke. In his capacity as Research Assistant at the Chair for Ancient History at the University of Konstanz, he participated in the archaeological excavations in Petra / Jordan, on behalf of Amman University, from 1979 to 1983.
In terms of numismatics, however, Wilhelm Müseler already had a family disposition. A collector himself, his father Karl Müseler had been entrusted with the Preussag Collection of mining coins which was sold by auction by London Galleries, in collaboration with Künker, in 2015 and 2016.
In the winter of 1983/4, Wilhelm Müseler became part of the staff of Frankfurt-based auction house Dr. Busso Peus Nachf., where he was responsible for coins of the classical world. In 1984, was appointed head of the relevant department of ancient coins. Looking back at 33 years and 109 auction catalogs, Wilhelm Müseler retired on September 30, 2016. But this was by no means the end of his career as a numismatic researcher.
Wilhelm Müseler’s academic interests focused on those Mediterranean and Near Eastern civilizations for which coins are the main (and sometimes even only) source. He was thus particularly interested in Persepolis after the conquest of Alexander as well as Cilicia and Lycia between the 5th and the 4th cent. BC.
Wilhelm Müseler published numerous contributions in German and internationals periodicals. Together with Dietrich Klose, he presented an exhibition catalog with the title “Statthalter – Rebellen – Könige. Die Münzen aus Persepolis von Alexander dem Großen zu den Sassaniden” in 2008. And “Lykische Münzen in europäischen Privatsammlungen” was published in 2016.
Wilhelm Müseler passed away in 2023. Ursula Kampmann honored his life in this obituary.
To view Wilhelm Müseler’s profile at Xing, please click here.
The website of auction house Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. can be found here.
