Munich, the German Mecca for Coin Collectors

No other city in Germany offers such an accumulation of well-known coin auction houses in a relatively confined space as Munich does. On and around the Maximiliansplatz such important companies are located as Lanz, Gorny & Mosch, Hirsch, Hauck & Aufhäuser, Helios, to name only a few. No wonder then, that the NUMIMSTA as the most important European coin fair exhibiting Classical Numismatics before 1900 has become such a crowd puller. Each year on one of the first weekends in March, this fair attracts thousands of coin collectors and dealers from all over to Munich.
Munich can rightly be called a Mecca for coin collectors. All year round, they find a rich range of offers, not only on auction sales and coin fairs. Many coin dealers maintain good storehouses where browsing pays off.
This is not the only incentive to come to Munich. The Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich (State Collection of Coins) ranges amongst the oldest coin collections in the world. Its collections are well worth seeing, and the highlights are presented in a permanent exhibition. Plus, special exhibitions are presented on a regular basis.
Not to forget the Bayerische Hauptmünzamt (Bavarian State Mint) where roughly one fifth of the German circulating money as well as special collectibles are produced.
In short, Munich is worth a travel every time of the year – but even more so in early March when one can combine the NUMISMATA with visiting not only an auction conducted by Gorny & Mosch but also all the specialized coin dealers.
We committed ourselves to give a compilation of all numismatic attractions Munich has to offer as comprehensive as possible. It is, nevertheless, possible that we may have overlooked something. If so, please do not hesitate to inform us at info@muenzenwoche.de.

Contents:

Museums and public collections
Other places of numismatic interest
Associations and societies
Coin fairs and collectors’ meetings
Mints
Numismatic lectures and courses at the University
Coin dealers

Museums and public collections

Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich (State Collection of Coins)
Residenzstrasse. 1 (entrance through Kapellenhof)
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 22 72 21
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 29 98 59
Email: info@staatliche-muenzsammlung.de
Internet: http://staatliche-muenzsammlung.de/
Opening hours:
Collection – Tue-Su 10 am-5pm
Library – Mo-Thu 9 am-4 pm, Fr 9 am-2pm
Admission: 2.50 EUR, reduced 2 EUR, Sundays and bank holidays 1 EUR
Guided tours by arrangement; languages: German, English, French, Italian

One of the highlights of the Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich is the famous dekadrachm made in the Greek city of Akragas around 425 B. C.

The Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich dates from the 16th century. Albert V, Duke of Bavaria, was an eager coin collector like many of his peers. The collections were enlarged in 1785 by the Electorate Palatine collections that Charles Theodor, Elector of Bavaria, brought with him when he moved to Munich. The collection was greatly enriched especially during the 19th century not only by the many conventual collections which the State confiscated during the secularisation – it was Louis I who time and again acquired important private collections for the Bavarian cabinet.
Even though today funds are not unlimited anymore, Munich nevertheless expands its collection. The Friends support their Munich coin collection which is enriched by private collections given to the museum by bequest as well as by gifts from time to time.
It is an important general collection with a focus laid on Antiquity and Bavarian coins and medals; also significant is the collection of Medieval coins.
The collections are open to anyone with a special interest, but only by appointment. The collection’s highlights are open to anyone interested on the internet: http://www.staatliche-muenzsammlung.de/highlights_01.html
The numismatic reference library with its collection of 26.000 volumes and 60 professional journals is open to the public. Its reading room provides 12 workplaces for users.

Archäologische Staatssammlung (State Archaeological Collection)
Lerchenfeldstrasse 2
D-80538 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 2112 – 402
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 2112 – 4401
Email: archaeologische.staatssammlung@extern.lrz-muenchen.de
Internet: http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~arch/start.html
Opening hours: Tue-Su 9:30 am-5 pm
Admission: 2 EUR
Since September 15th, 2009, after the Archäologische Staatssammlung was rebuilt, a part of the collections is reopened again.
There is plenty to see for the coin lover since the collection contains quite a number of Celtic, Roman and Early Medieval coin finds from Bavaria. The Celtic gold hoards from Manching and other towns are spectacular and on display in the collection open to the public whereas only a tiny fraction of the approximately 15.000 Roman coins finds can be seen.
The Archäologische Staatssammlung is dedicated to expand its collections. Some of the most important new acquisitions are minting tools from the late Celtic era.

Anyone interested in pre-monetary forms of money should visit the Völkerkundemuseum in Munich. Interesting numismatic objects can be found in the spacious and newly designed exhibitions.

Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde Munich (State Museum of Ethnology)
Maximilianstrasse 42
D-80538 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 2101 36-100
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 2101 36-247
Email (office): gertraud.remmers@mfv.bayern.de
Internet: http://www.voelkerkundemuseum-muenchen.de/inhalt/html/home.html
Opening hours: Tue-Su 9:30 am-5:30 pm
Admission: 4 EUR
The Völkerkundemuseum Munich should also be explored by anyone interested in the currency of foreign peoples. This museum houses a splendid collection of pre-monetary forms of money (commonly called primitive money). After all, the Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde in Munich with its 150.000 objects is Germany‘s second largest ethnological museum.
Once again the collection’s origins date back to the Wittelsbach dynasty who already displayed attractions from abroad in their natural history collection. Selected objects from the collection were presented to the broader public as early as 1821. As “Königliche ethnographische Sammlung“ the ethnological museum in Munich is in existence since 1868. Since 1935 it is located in the house on the Maximilianstrasse which originally was constructed as the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum).
Since the 1990ies the entire house is refit with its individual sections, in a new didactic design, reopened to the public one by one since 1998. Currently, permanent exhibitions are devoted to Latin America, North America, Africa, Oceania and the Islamic Orient. Pre-monetary forms of money can be found in a greater number in the section of Oceania.

Other places of numismatic interest

Alte Münze (Old Mint)
Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege
Hofgraben 4
D-80 539 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 2114 – 0
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 2114 – 300
Email: poststelle@blfd.bayern.de
Internet: http://www.blfd.bayern.de/landesamt/index.php

The former Old Mint today houses the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege.

The Old Royal Stables located on the Hofgraben housed the Central Mint between 1809 and 1986. The building was constructed by an unknown architect for Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria, as part of the stables and the art chamber. In the context of the house’s reconstruction to house the mint, Johann Andreas Gärtner redesigned the west façade. Since then the inscription “Moneta Regis” can be read above the portal. After the mint has moved to the Zamdorfer Straße, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege is housed in the building.
The arcade court of the Alte Münze serves as one of the venues of the Prinzregententheater Munich; since a couple of years now, one can attend open-air performances that are staged here during the summer season.
http://www.prinzregententheater.de/de/spielstaetten/alte_muenze.html

Associations and societies

Bayerische Numismatische Gesellschaft (Bavarian Numismatic Society)
Kristian Nicol Worbs (chairman)
c/o Staatliche Münzsammlung München
Residenzstrasse 1
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 22 72 21
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 29 98 59
Email: info@bngev.de
Internet: http://www.bngev.de
The Bayerische Numismatische Gesellschaft ranges amongst the oldest numismatic societies in Germany. Founded on October 9th, 1881, the society has become renowned world-wide thanks to its journal, the Jahrbuch für Numismatik und Geldgeschichte, which is one of the most important professional journals for numismatics in the world.
The society has about 400 members. Its meetings generally take place every third Tuesday each month in the library of the Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich. The calendar of events can be viewed on the internet at www.bngev.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=31

Künstlerkreis der Medailleure München
Although not open to anyone, the “Künstlerkreis der Medailleure München“ deserves mention nonetheless. Initiated by the graphic artist Reinhart Heinsdorff and the then senior conservator for medals and gems at the Staatliche Münzsammlung Munich, Ingrid S. Weber, this association was founded in 1988.
Its main aim was to bring the individual artists working on the design of new medals together and to level up the medal artistically through mutual exchange and collaboration.
Members of the group are renowned artists such as Horst Auer, Friedrich Brenner, Wolfgang von Elst, Erich Ott, Hubertus von Pilgrim, Barbara Ruppel, Sonja Seibold, Karl Vezerfi-Clemm and Angelika Wetzel.

Coin fairs and collectors’ meetings

NUMISMATA Munich
Organizer: NUMISMATA International – Erich Modes
Reichenbachstrasse 17
D-80469 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 26 83 59
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 26 09 060
Email: numismata.modes@t-online.de
Internet: http://numismata.de/english/start_en.htm
Venue: Münchner Order Center – M, O, C, Munich – Freimann, Lilienthalallee 40, D-80939 Munich

Rush on the NUMISMATA – The Munich coin fair is the most important event in Europe in the field of Classical Numismatics.

The NUMISMATA is a numismatic mega event held once a year that attracts thousands of visitors and more than 150 dealers from Germany and abroad to Munich. The most important auction houses make sure to be there. On more than 2.500 square meters they exhibit their offers ranging from Antiquity to Modern times. The wide offer in Classical Numismatics before 11900 is especially impressive.

The NUMISMATA is held each year at the beginning of March; usually, several auction houses in Munich fix their days around that date.

Münchner Münzen & Medaillen-Börse
Organizer: Rüdiger Rahn Numismatik
La Renardière
03440 Chavenon
France
Phone: +33 / 470 074 242
Fax: +33 / 470 0742 42
Email: info@www.muenchner-muenzen-medaillen-boerse.de
Internet: http://www.muenchner-muenzen-medaillen-boerse.de
Venue: Paulaner am Nockherberg, Festsaal, Hochstrasse 77, D-81541 Munich
The Münchner Münzen & Medaillen-Börse saw up to 2.000 visitors on a Saturday at the beginning of October in its very best days. Although this number cannot be reached anymore, the event remains to be of local importance attracting many collectors and dealers from and around Munich to the Nockherberg.

Mints

Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt (Bavarian State Mint)
Zamdorfer Strasse 92
D-81677 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 99 26 90 – 0
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 99 26 90 – 200
Email: poststelle@hma.bayern.de
Internet: http://www.hma.bayern.de/home_e.htm
Opening hours: Mo-Tue 6:45 am-3:50pm, Fr 6:45 am-12.30 pm
In 1158, Munich received its town charter that was connected with the right to mint coins. It is said that in this very year already, a mint was installed on the grounds of today’s Marienplatz. Hence, the Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt celebrated its 850th anniversary in 2008 with the first open day in its entire history.
Anyone interested in the history of this institution should take a look at the chronicle at http://www.hma.bayern.de/geschichte.htm. Highly recommendable is the small excursus about the organisation of the ducal mint at http://www.hma.bayern.de/feuertod.swf.

At the Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt, 63 staff members produce about one billion coins per year.

Unfortunately, the Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt does not give any guided tours. After all, this would mean too great an interruption of the production that provide one fifth of all German coins. Roughly 21% of the German circulating coins, i. e. one billion, are manufactured each year easily identifiable by the mint letter “D” for Munich.
The Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt is a government enterprise responsible not only for coins. Public authorities order their seals displaying the Bavarian coat of arms. Since, according to a regulation, only the Byerisches Hauptmünzamt is entitled to produce seals, private customers order official seals here, too.

Münz-Prägstatt GmbH
Einsteinstrasse 1
D-85757 Karlsfeld
Phone: +49 (0)8131 / 591 92-0
Fax: +49 (0)8131 / 591 92-31
Although looking at the internet for Münz-Prägstatt GmbH is futile, this company is nevertheless renowned among experts as a private mint company that produces beautiful medals. Their products are easily identifiable by the letter K or M inside a squiggled circle. Anyone who likes to gets his own private medal in Munich should pay this company a visit.

Lectures and courses at the University

Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität Munich
Historische Grundwissenschaften und Historische Medienkunde
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
D-80539 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 2180 – 2487
Email: ghw@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Internet: http://www.hgw.geschichte.uni-muenchen.de/ueber_uns/faecher/numismatik/index.html
He who likes to study the basics of scientific numismatics enrolls in the academic discipline called “Historische Grundwissenschaften und Historische Medienkunde”. Although no university degree can be obtained exclusively in numismatics, in a master’s or doctoral thesis a numismatic emphasis can be laid nonetheless. Currently, Prof Dr Hubert Emmerig (Hubert.Emmerig@univie.ac.at) lectures in numismatics.
For an overview of the current lectures and seminars please go to http://www.hgw.geschichte.uni-muenchen.de/studium_lehre/index.html

Coin dealers in Munich

AAS – Bayern
Lindwurmstrasse 215
80337 München
Phone: 089 / 69 35 90 20
Internet: http://www.goldankaufstelle-bayern.de
Not the numismatist’s scene but gold or silver coins can be found here from time to time.

Johannes Diller
Ohlstadter Strasse 21
D-81373 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 /76 03 550
Fax: +49 (0)89 /76 989 39
Email: muenzen-diller@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.muenzen-diller.de
Only after making an arrangement by telephone can Johannes Diller’s shop be visited. The owner specialises in Celtic coins, Old Germany, medals, numismatic literature and shooting medals.
Johannes Diller a member of VddM as well as the IAPN.

D. F. Grotjohann Numismatica Monacensis
D. F. Grotjohann
Odeonsplatz 12
D-80539 München
Tel.: 089 / 22 90 67
E-Mail: office@grotjohann-coins.com
Internet: http://www.grotjohann-coins.com
Auch bei D.F. Grotjohann handelt es sich um ein noch junges Unternehmen, das sich auf das Internet spezialisiert hat. Deniz Fuat Grotjohann, bei Numismatik Lanz in die Welt der Münzen eingeführt, arbeitet mit verschiedenen Galerien und Auktionshäusern weltweit zusammen und ist auf internationalen Auktionen anwesend. Vor allem Liebhaber antiker Münzen werden hier fündig, aber auch alle anderen Gebiete der Numismatik sind vertreten. Um sich kompetent beraten zu lassen, ist eine vorherige Anmeldung jedoch zu empfehlen, da das Geschäft nicht zu festen Zeiten besetzt ist.

Gerhard Hirsch Nachf.
Dr Francisca Bernheimer
Promenadenplatz 10
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 29 21 50
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 22 83 675
Email: coinhirsch@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.coinhirsch.de
In 1934, members of the Jewish coin dealer family Hirsch were forced to leave Germany. Whereas Heinrich Hirsch emigrated to Switzerland, his son Gerhard went to Prague only to be deported to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz after just a few auction sales. He survived the concentration camps and returned to Munich in 1945 where he founded the company Gerhard Hirsch eight years later that is run by Dr Francisca Bernheimer today.
Every year, four auction sales are conducted (in February, May, September and November). Apart from world coins and medals, the auction house offers ancient works of art.
Francisca Bernheimer is a member of the VddM as well as the IAPN.

Gorny & Mosch – Giessener Münzhandlung
Maximiliansplatz 20
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 24 22 643-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 22 85 513
Email: info@gmcoinart.de
Internet: http://www.gmcoinart.de/
Opening hours: Mo-Fr 9 am-1 pm, 14:30-18 pm
The auction house Gorny & Mosch, which originally was established in 1970 in Gießen and has found a new location in Munich in 1978, conducts 10 sales each year offering coins from all over the world. It is hardly possible to pick just one special field since this auction house has quite a number – high-quality coins from Antiquity, for example, although the rich storehouses also contain one or the other inexpensive coin from this era. Russia is another important field since the 1980ies with interesting offers.
Gorny & Mosch is a member of the IAPN.

Hauck & Aufhäuser Privatbankiers – Numismatik
Löwengrube 12
80 333 München
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 24 21 98 38 (Alois Wenninger / Antike) or +49 (0)89 / 24 21 98 39 (Dr. Hubert Ruß / Middle Ages – Modern times)
Fax: +49 (0)89 /23 93 28 79
Email: numismatik@hauck-aufhaeuser.de
Internet: http://www.hauck-aufhaeuser.de/numismatik
Usually, there is one auction sale held at Hauck & Aufhäuser’s only when the persons responsible have assembled particular material. For that reason the shop on the Löwengasse is especially important for the daily volume. This shop is carefully maintained and always worth a visit. Special areas are Antiquity and, of course, Bavaria. Apart from that, coins and medals from all over the world as well as investment gold are on offer for sale.

Helios Numismatik GmbH
Coins & Ancient Art
Ottostrasse 5
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 55 27 94 90
Email: info@helios-numismatik.de
Internet: http://www.helios-numismatik.de/
The auction house Helios Numismatik GmbH specialises in high-quality coins from Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Modern times as well as on the Islamic world. Twice a year auction sales are conducted. Throughout the entire year, a small storehouse on the Ottostrasse can be visited.

Detlef Hilmer
Bahnhofsplatz 2
D-80335 München
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 59 67 57
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 5 50 41 76
The big shop not far from the main station has banknotes, stamps, postcards, token money as well as securities.
Detlef Hilmer is a member of the BVDM (Professional Association of Specialised Coin Dealers).

Fritz Rudolf Künker und Heritage GmbH
Frank Richardsen
Maximiliansplatz 12a
D-80333 München
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 2 42 16 99-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 2 42 16 99-9
Email: info@kuenker-heritage.de
Internet: http://www.kuenker-heritage.de/
DThe international auction houses Fritz Rudolf Künker and Heritage GmbH run a branch in Munich where interested parties can buy and sell U.S. gold coins, coins from Old Germany as well as gold and silver coins from the German Empire after making an appointment.

Richard Mandusic
Pilgersheimerstrasse29
D-81543 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 44 22 99 30
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 44 22 99 31
Email: Richard.Mandusic@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.numismatik-mandusic.de
The coin dealer Mandusic offers coins and medals, paper money and postcards from all over the world. Special fields are Germany (circulating coins after 1873) as well as the following countries: Baltic States, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary.
Richard Mandusic is a member of the BVDM.

Münzen Modes
Erich Modes
Reichenbachstrasse 17
D-80469 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 26 83 59
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 2 60 90 60
Email: numismata.modes@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.numismata.de/
Particularly coins after 1800 can be found at Erich Modes’. Münzen Modes specializes in Germany and the German Democratic Republic as well as on world coins and medals after 1800.
Erich Modes has become well-known not primarily for his coin shop but for organizing the NUMISMATA coin fair.
Erich Modes is a member of the BVDM.

Münzgalerie München GmbH
Holger Dombrowski
Stiglmaierplatz 2
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 /52 33 660 and 52 34 362
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 52 53 93
Email: mgm@muenzgalerie.de or kontakt@mgm-muenzgalerie.de
Internet: http://www.muenzgalerie.de
Opening hours: Mo-Fr 9 am-6 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm
The Münzgalerie München is popular for its wide range of numismatic literature. The storehouse with its coins from Antiquity to the present day always fascinates. Medals and gold coins from all over the world are a special area.
For looking at the storehouse it is not necessary to come to Munich in person since the currents lists and catalogues is available on the internet as pdf files.
Holger Dombrowski is a member of the VddM.

Numismatik Lanz
Dr Hubert Lanz
Maximiliansplatz 10
Luitpoldblock
D-80333 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 /29 90 70
Fax: +49 (0)89 /22 07 62
Email: info@numislanz.de
Internet: http://www.lanz.com
Hermann Lanz (1910-1998), who founded the company in Graz, was in his days an important aviation pioneer who could not keep his job anymore after Austria was conquered. He decided to establish a coin shop that today is run by his son, Dr Hubert Lanz, in Munich.
Although the auction house Lanz still publishes important catalogues this is one of the companies that quickly opened up to the new medium of the internet. Hence, one can find auction sales of Lanz Online on all bigger coin sale platforms.
Hubert Lanz is a member of the VddM and the IAPN.

pro aurum GmbH & Co. KG
Grillparzerstrasse 46
D-81675 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 / 550 548 0
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 550 548 50
Email: info@proaurum.de
Internet: http://www.proaurum.de/
Nomen est omen – this company specialises in gold coins.
Pro aurum is a member of the BVDM.