Stack’s Bowers Galleries Opening New Office in Copenhagen

Beginning in July, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will provide world-renowned expertise and manage their upcoming sales of the L. E. Bruun Collection, the world’s finest private collection of Scandinavian coinage and the world’s most valuable collection of international coins ever to be sold, from this new location.

Michael Fornitz. Photo: Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

The “grand old man” of Danish professional numismatics, Michael Fornitz will lead Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ team of expert numismatists. A native Copenhagener, Fornitz, who holds a M.A. in numismatics, has 40 years of experience in the auction field and has been head of the numismatic department in three Scandinavian auction houses. Through the years Fornitz has cataloged most major Danish single-owner sales of Danish, World and Ancient coins and has orchestrated the most world price records for Danish coins. For the last 20 years he has worked as deputy director and chief numismatist at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, a Bonhams’ affiliated firm.

Henrik Berndt. Photo: Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

He will be joined by Henrik Berndt, who offers more than 15 years of diverse experience acquired in the numismatic departments of prominent auction houses such as Bruun Rasmussen and Spink, London. Most recently, Berndt has single-handedly built a strong and highly respected numismatic auction business at Danish auction house VF Auktion. A true collector in many areas, Berndt loves the coin business as well as the intelligent and dedicated collectors and colleagues one finds in the world of collectibles.

Peter Bjørnstrup. Photo: Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

Rounding out the team is Peter Bjørnstrup who will serve as a consultant and brings 25 years of experience as a senior auction cataloger, private dealer and numismatic author and publisher. Bjørnstrup spent several years leading the coin department at Thomas Høiland Auktioner before purchasing his own coin and stamp shop in Roskilde, Denmark, which he operated for more than 15 years. Bjørnstrup was bitten by the collecting bug when he received his first cigar box of coins from a family friend in 1967. As an adult he decided to make numismatics his career and has loved every minute of it.

“We are thrilled to announce our strategic expansion to service our European clientele and support our multi-year offerings of the L. E. Bruun collection. Establishing our presence in the heart of central Copenhagen marks a significant milestone for our company and enables us to offer our full suite of services to the European market, including accepting auction consignments and providing appraisals” said Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “As is customary for Stack’s Bowers Galleries, we have assembled a team of elite numismatic specialists to serve our clients, ensuring that they receive the highest level of expertise and personalized service. I am honored to welcome Michael, Henrik, and Peter to our team.”

“Being able to combine working for the oldest and most revered American numismatic company, with cataloging the world’s most valuable international coin collection ever to be sold at auction, is no less than a personal dream come true. Together with my team, I look very much forward to welcoming numismatists from all around the globe to wonderful Copenhagen,” said Stack’s Bowers Galleries Denmark’s Director Michael Fornitz.

The Copenhagen office can be reached by telephone at +011.45.88749409 (local number) or +011.45.80404942 (toll free) or by email.