Coin and banknote collection

Research

A comprehensive study on the use of crude metal prior to the “invention” of coins in the 7th century BC is currently being undertaken in collaboration with the Forensic Science Institute (Kriminaltechnisches Institut) of the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA) in Wiesbaden, Germany. The study is under the direction of Dr Reinhold Walburg and is being conducted by Dr Walburg himself along with Dr Gabriele Gorzawski and Dr Peter Weis, both of whom are from the BKA.  The focus is on an in-depth historical-numismatic and scientific analysis of a find of hacked electrum pieces in the possession of the Deutsche Bundesbank. This investigation is also helping to answer the still not entirely decided question of when and where the first coins were minted.

Already completed and soon to be in print is a treatise by Dr Walburg on the power of visual communication, illustrated by the celebrated Brutus coin minted to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar on 15 March 44 BC.

The article was released and is available as a PDF document under the navigation link "Publications".