Literature on Numismatics and Archaeology: The Zlatko Pleša Library
Paul-Francis Jacquier
Auction 54
Literature
20-21 March 2025
Online
Zlatko Pleša was one of the friendliest coin dealers you could meet at a coin show. Born in 1952 in Zemun, Serbia, he opened his coin shop in Frankfurt am Main, where he also dealt in ancient objects. Zlatko Pleša died unexpectedly on 2 November 2022 in the south of France. He left behind an extensive and well-maintained library, which he had assembled over many decades. Paul-Francis Jacquier is now offering the books in his 54th auction. It is a final service to a dear friend with whom he sat side by side at coin shows for many years.
Zlatko Pleša (1952-2022).
The library consists of three parts: First, there are the books bought by Zlatko Pleša himself. In the late 1990s, Zlatko acquired the library of the late Munich numismatist Marcus Höllersberger. Shortly before his death, he purchased the books of his long-time friend, the Frankfurt antiquities dealer Bernd Gackstätter, who died a few months before him. This explains why there are so many books on archaeology and art history.
The Zlatko Pleša Library is a wonderful opportunity to add important books to your own working library, and thus to have on your bookshelf the reminder of a man whose unwavering smile always came straight from the heart.
J. D. Köhler, Köhlers Historische Münz-Belustigung. Part 6. Nuremberg 1734. Cloth binding with gilded spine. Estimate: 100 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 2.
A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (BMC). Reprint 1963ff. 29 volumes with a total of 10,210 pages and 949 plates. Full cloth. Estimate: 1,000 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 96.
M. Mitchiner, Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian Coinage. London 1976. 9 volumes. Estimate: 250 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 148
Numismatics with a Focus on Antiquity
After some bibliophilic works, such as partial volumes of “Köhlers Münzbelustigungen” or Schulthess-Rechberg’s “Thaler-Cabinet”, there are 372 lots presenting works on ancient numismatics. Celtic numismatics is particularly well represented, but the 29 volumes of the British Museum Catalogue will also be of great interest. Connoisseurs will find extensive Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum series as well as all the essential reference works on Roman numismatics. These include, for example, the important and long out-of-print Roman Provincial Coinage catalogues. There are also separate sections on sigillography, ancient tesserae and seals, as well as on ancient weights and coin scales.
E. Bahrfeldt, Das Münzwesen der Mark Brandenburg. Reprint, Leipzig 1980. 3 volumes. Estimate: 150 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 420.
Interesting Works on Medieval and Modern Coins
But collectors of European coins from medieval and modern times should also make sure to study the catalogue carefully. It contains about 150 lots with rare works, most of which are still indispensable for the identification of coins. These include the complete reprints of Bahrfeldt’s “Münzwesen der Mark Brandenburg” and the eleven volumes of Fiala’s “Münzen und Medaillen der Welfischen Lande”. The library offers many standard works that belong in every library.
Auktion Schweizerischer Münzen aus den Sammlungen Hans Wunderly von Muralt, Zürich, und Henry Fatio, Genf. Leo Hamburger 93 (19 October 1931). Estimate: 50 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 579.
Sammlung Dr. Paul Julius, Heidelberg. Französische Revolution, Napoleon I. und seine Zeit. Otto Helbing 66 (11 January 1932). Estimate: 75 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 584.
Auction Catalogues
At the heart of the sale are some 160 lots with important auction catalogues, many from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The great auctioneers of the past, such as Brüder Egger, Leo Hamburger, Otto Helbing, Adolph Hess, Sally Rosenberger and Felix Schlessinger recall a golden age of the coin trade when important collection as those of Ernst Justus Haeberlin, Apostolo Zeno, Cyril Lockett, Commerzienrath C. F. Pogge and Grand Duke George Mikhailovich were sold. Important catalogue rarities as well as carefully assembled multiple lots offer the opportunity to expand your own library with works that are indispensable for provenance research.
H. Kühn, Die Germanischen Bügelfibeln der Völkerwanderungszeit. 4 volumes. Estimate: 250 euros. From Jacquier auction 54 (20/21 March), No. 775.
Archaeology, Art and Cultural History
It is safe to say that most numismatists are also interested in gems, ancient jewellery and Roman art. Now is the time to acquire the most important literature on the subject. About half of the lots include important monographs on archaeology. It is worth studying this part of the auction catalogue carefully, especially as you will find many works on cultural history. Most books are in German, but there is also French, Italian and English literature.
Zlatko’s son Konstantin introduces the catalogue with a short foreword in which he says: “My father Zlatko Pleša’s remarkable collection of books not only gives an idea of the wealth of his knowledge of numismatics, but above all embodies a passion that he had cherished since childhood. His numismatic enthusiasm can be felt in every book, every page and even between the lines. It all reminds me of him in cosy, yet exciting moments, with a glass of wine in his hand, coins on the table and a twinkle in his eyes. Even though Zlatko passed away, the magic of this special passion remains. It lives on in his book collection and will reappear whenever a book is opened.”
Bidders can participate in the auction via Redpoint, NumisBids and biddr. The catalogue can be ordered from Paul-Francis Jacquier for a nominal fee of 15 euros.
