I first started to show an interest in coins when I was 9 years old.
My Grandfather gave me a few old coins around this time one of them being a 1797 Cartwheel penny that his father had given to him.
My Grandfather was a second world war veteran having served with the Irish Guards. He had a real sense of history something which I absorbed.
This interest continued and was fostered by both my parents. On a Saturday visit to the city whilst having a counter meal at the Austral Hotel in Rundle Street I spotted a coin dealer across the road. I had a few dollars in my pocket and went to have a look. This was circa 1975.
The proprietor at that time had just received a consignment of Ancient Roman coins. I was amazed at the selection on display but also how inexpensive a coin so old could be. Almost unbelievable.
I returned to the Austral Hotel, beaming with excitement holding in my tightly clenched fist an Ancient Roman provincial tetradrachm depicting the emperor Diocletion, minted in Egypt between 284 & 305 AD. From that moment on I was hooked on the hobby of numismatics.
History held in your hands…. the possibilities of where that coin had been opened a whole new world of fantasy and imagination. Perhaps the emperor himself had held it. Maybe a patron off to the colosseum to watch a gladiatorial match.
Was it Pay for a day for a foot soldier in a Roman Legion encamped at the ancient capital of Egypt’s port city of Alexandria?
These historical items are the visual and tactile “twitter” feeds of their time where the skill of the master engraver depicted the events of the day announcing to the world the exploits of their leaders.
It is through coins that we can see the social history and political mood of the day and if not for their existence and the messages they displayed much history may well have been lost.
My interest only grew, and I worked Saturday mornings at the Rundle Street dealer’s shop. Renumeration was always by way of an historic coin. When the end of my schooling was approaching there were a few options I was considering, Navy clearance diver, marine archaeologist and interestingly an undertaker.
This was all thrown out with the offer of full-time employment as a numismatist in late 1977 at the same Rundle Street coin store. With the blessing of my parents off I went. My apprenticeship began that day and continues to this day.
You can never know all there is to know about numismatics.
After 43 years at the helm of a busy city shop it was time to get out from behind the counter.
I am now available by appointment to discuss your buying and selling needs. After more than 40 years in the business I have extensive contacts both here and abroad in all aspects of coins, banknotes, and medals.
