Featherstone Vaults

Collection

Numismatics

Greek, Roman and medieval coinage, historic gold and campaign medals.

Roman gold aureus of Titus, struck at Rome.
Representative collection image · American Numismatic Society / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

How we catalogue it

Coins are attributed to standard references and, where third-party grading or certification exists, it is cited with its certificate number. Tooling, smoothing and modern surfaces are reported.

Ancient · Medieval · Medals

Currently catalogued01

Where an entry has not yet been photographed its plate is shown blank. Featherstone Vaults photography replaces them entry by entry; no stand-in imagery is used.

Buying in this department

What we look for

Attribution to the standard references, with the reference cited in the entry so that a buyer can check it. Where a coin carries third-party grading we give the grading service and the certificate number rather than simply repeating the grade.

Surface work is the field's recurring problem. Tooling, smoothing, re-engraving and modern patination are common on ancient coins and are frequently undisclosed. We examine surfaces under magnification and report what we find.

Findspots and the law

For coins found in England and Wales, the Treasure Act 1996 governs what must be reported, and material that has been through the process carries a record. Where a findspot or a recording reference exists we give it.

Hoard coins without any recorded findspot are a different proposition and are described as such.

Worth asking

What is the attribution reference. Has the surface been tooled or smoothed. If it is slabbed, by whom and under what number. Is there a recorded findspot.

Further reading