About This File
The month of December is always exciting for collectors of ancient coins. partly because of the activity surrounding the New York International Coin Show, and partly because of the holiday spirit which so appropriately takes our minds back to the time when many of our "collectibles" originated. It is a time when many of us think in terms of biblical coins and coins of the early Caesars. We seem to focus more clearly on names and titles that ring out the history of the time of Christ. Similarly, we tend to identify with particular symbols and images that have become part of our culture. In keeping with the holiday spirit. David Liebert has entertained us this month with an article about the Menorah, a candelabra with a fascinating history and one of those ancient images that mirror the season. This is the seventeenth consecutive issue in which David has graciously shared his knowledge of antiquities with us.
This year's NY International promises to be every bit as exciting as in years past. The show runs Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, December 10-12, but the week is full of other delights as well. Stack's will hold an important preshow auction at the Sheraton Centre on December 8-9 with ancients to be offered on the first day of the sale (Thursday). Starting time is 6:30 P.M. Friday morning at 10:00 A.M. classical coins are being offered at auction by Classical Numismatic Auctions, Ltd. The 600+ Lot sale will be held at the Warwick Hotel. On Saturday and Sunday, a joint auction of numismatic books by George Frederick Kolbe and Spink & Son, Ltd. will be held at Swann Galleries. Books about ancients will be grouped in the second session starting at 3:00 P.M. Sunday,
Sunday night at 6:00 P.M. the Moreira Collection Sale, Part 2 will continue with coins and medals of Russia and ancient coins. The ancients will probably not come on the block until after 10:00 P.M. (possibly later) and the 1,000+ lots in this category will undoubtedly keep die-hard bidders up most of the night
Amidst the excitement of these auctions, the incredible bourse that the International always features, and the hustle-bustle of midtown Manhattan, one should certainly try to squeeze in a visit to the American Numismatic Society Museum at 155th and Broadway. Of course, one also should take time to drop in on locals like Harmer Rooke, Coin Galleries, Marvin Kagan, Mehrdad Sadigh, Christie's, and Joel Coen who offer a wide range of ancient coins and antiquities for sale. If you still have time on your hands run over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the' short tour.
New York hosts one of the premier shows of the year, and in spite of the problems one might encounter with transportation and lodging it is an event worth attending. We'll be there of course and hope to rub elbows with some of you. Until then. thank you all for a very enjoyable year. May you have a truly warm and memorable holiday season and a rewarding new year. Next month is already our second anniversary, wish us a happy birthday and let us hear your point of view!