Livonian Order. Gotthard Kettler, 1559-1561.
2 1/2 Ducats n. d., mint probably Riga.
Extremely rare.
Almost extremely fine.
Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
Sovereign n. d., (1584-1586), London.
Very rare.
Slightly bent, almost extremely fine.
Mustafa III, 1757-1774.
2 Zeri Mahbub 1757/1758 (= 1171 AH), Misr (Kairo)
Ziynet pattern.
Very rare.
Holed, almost extremely fine.
Carlos III, 1759-1788.
8 Escudos 1764, NR-JV,
Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino (Bogota).
NGC AU58.
Rare. Extremely fine.
Bankportugalöser in the weight of 10 Ducats 1689,
by J. Reteke, on the major European banking cities of
Amsterdam, Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Venice.
NGC MS63 PL. Very rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.
Penny 1919.
Copper-nickel pattern of the “Kookaburra Penny”
by C. D. Richardson for Stokes & Sons. Extremely rare.
PCGS SP 61.
Tiny edge faults, extremely fine.
Vereenigde Amsterdamsche Compagnie.
1/2 Daalder in the weight of 4 Reales 1601, Dordrecht.
Extremely rare. Fine patina,
very fine-extremely fine.
5 Gulden type 1846.
Highest rarity (RRRR).
PMG Choice Very Fine 35.
1000 Gulden type 1860.
Highest rarity (RRRR).
PMG Extremely Fine 40.
Pinholes. Pressed.
Leonhard von Keutschach, 1495-1519.
3 Ducats 1513. Extremely rare.
Attractive piece with nice golden toning, min. bent,
extremely fine.
Hideo Futahashi (†2024)
by Ursula Kampmann
We have only now learned that Hideo Futahashi has passed away. Mr. Futahashi was a key figure for Europeans looking to gain a foothold in the Japanese coin market. He was one of those open-minded Japanese who loved introducing European coin enthusiasts to the beauty of his country.
Content
Hideo Futahashi (left) with Ursula Kampmann. Photo: CoinsWeekly.
How do you write an obituary for a man who spoke more about numismatics than about himself? Who found joy in introducing European coin enthusiasts to the beauty of his country and opening doors for them? He and his charming wife were generous hosts, never tiring of forging connections between Japanese and European numismatists. His death is a great loss for all those who have come to love Japan and its numismatic world.
An Ambassador for Japanese Numismatics
I first met Mr. Hideo Futahashi at the Mint Directors Conference 2012 in Vienna, which he attended with his wife. He was highly interested in engaging in conversation – so much so that language barriers ceased to matter. It took me a long time to understand the role he played in Japanese numismatics because this enthusiastic coin lover defined his own role and did not fit into any conventional mold.
Mr. Futahashi published a Japanese magazine, introducing international numismatic releases to Japanese collectors. He collected, published, and played a significant role in various coin collector associations in his country. He made it his mission to connect European dealers and journalists, like myself, with local collectors, museum curators, and dealers.
Hideo Futahashi and his wife in kimono on the left side of the table. On the right, Didier Leluan from cgb and two other guests of Mr. Futahashi’s. Photo: UK.
An Ambassador for Japanese Culture
My last meeting with Mr. Futahashi and his wife took place in April. As always, he had invited a small group of people to dinner during the TICC in Tokyo, carefully selecting the guests with the intention of introducing people who should know each other. He deliberately chose a traditional Japanese setting for this. He was proud of his culture and was delighted to meet people who appreciated it.
He only hinted that he had been seriously ill. But now, he said, he was feeling better, and we made grand plans for the coin collections and numismatic museums he wanted to show me on my next visit to Japan.
A Great Loss
I am deeply saddened by the death of my Japanese friend, whom I did not have the chance to know well enough. I miss his gracious kindness, his natural generosity, and the open-mindedness with which he welcomed me, a foreigner, into his country.
In Japan, there is a strong belief that people can continue to influence the lives of those they were connected to, even after death. I am certain that the spirit of Hideo Futahashi will always accompany me when I travel through Japan.
