The Numismatic Circular During World War II

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  “As present conditions make it impracticable to continue the “Numismatic Circular”, we propose until the return of better times, to send Lists of Coins for Sale to former subscribers and to anyone interested in Numismatics. […]” (From NC, March 1940, see picture above)

The 1940s were difficult times, with the United Kingdom facing a turning point in its history as the Battle of Britain commenced. London was bombed regularly, and as sirens wailed and Londoners took to underground shelters, Spink not only survived but kept business moving, supplying hundreds of coins to collectors every month. Mr. Marshall was one of these many collectors who was happy to give his custom to Spink during the dramatic years of WWII.

Coins from 1942-43 Numismatic Circular Lists now featured in the Marshall Collection auction, 31 March 2004:

Lot 14: Philip and Mary (1554-8), Angel, 5.15g., St. Michael of new style with large wings, standing slaying the dragon, PHILIP Z MARIA D  G REX Z REGIN, rev., ship of new style with upturned castles, P and M at sides, riding on a turbulent sea, ADNO FACTVM EST ISTVD Z EST MIRABI, beaded inner circles both sides, pellet stops, m.m. lis (Schneider 728 (same obv. die); N.1965; S.2496B), flan creased in centre, tiny striking cracks in legend at 11 o'clock, otherwise very fine, extremely rare Price realised: £7,820 Spink Numismatic Circular, November 1942, no.16779 £37-10-0

		Lot 17: Elizabeth I, fifth issue, Pound, 11.11g., bust 7A, crowned bust left with long hair and richly ornamented dress, rev., crowned square-topped shield with E R at sides, colon/double annulet stops, m.m. tun (Brown & Comber F4; Schneider 798 (same dies); N.2008; S.2534), very slightly double struck on obverse, the dies of exceptionally fine workmanship, extremely fine, very rare thus Price realised: £13,800 Spink Numismatic Circular, May 1942, no.14270 £24-0-0

Lot 20: James I, third coinage, Rose-ryal, 12.49g., king enthroned holding orb and sceptre, portcullis at feet, pattern of roses and lis in field, rev., shield on cross fleury, with XXX above, encircled by a band with lis, lions and crowns, m.m. lis (over thistle over spur rowel on both sides) (Schneider 77 (same dies prior to overmarking); N.2108; S.2632), slight wave in flan, faint scratches in reverse field, otherwise almost extremely fine, rare Price realised: £9,430 Spink Numismatic Circular, August-September 1942, no.15777 £35-0-0

		Lot 45: Kings of Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), North Western mint, Penny, 1.61g., flower type, Buga, EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée within inner circle, rev., BVGA enclosed in branch each side of floreate stem (BLS 327d (this coin); N.660; S.1079), lightly double struck on obverse, evenly toned, almost extremely fine, extremely rare Price realised: £11,040 Spink Numismatic Circular, July 1942, no.15395 £50-0-0

Lot 46: Kings of Wessex, Edward the Elder, North Western mint, Penny, 1.57g., tower type, Wulfsige, EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée within inner circle, rev., VVLFSIGE in two lines divided by church tower or reliquary (BLS 324 (this specimen not listed); N.666; S.1083), slightly mottled tone, very fine, very rare Price realised: £7,360 Spink Numismatic Circular, August-September 1943, no.21617 £45-0-0

		Lot 177: George IV, Proof Sovereign, 1825, first laureate head facing left, tiny b.p.below, GEORGIUS III D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D: toothed border both sides, rev. struck en medaille, St George and dragon, date in exergue, B.P to upper right, WWP under broken lance, edge, plain (WR 234 R7) die flaw through T of obverse legend, extremely fine and of the highest rarity Price realised: £14,950 Spink Numismatic Circular, July 1943, no.20955 £10-10-0

However, Spink certainly had to face some very difficult moments :

   “We very much regret that on account of reduction of staff by War Service and illness, it has been impossible to make this list what we intended it to be. We shall hope, however, to issue fuller and more regular lists in the future” - this from the Numismatic Circular, March 1940.

  “The Publishers very much regret the delay in issuing this List. It was, however, due to circumstances connected with the printing which were quite unavoidable. We have now been obliged to make other arrangements, and we hope that after the July issue the List will again be posted so as to reach our clients as nearly as possible on the 1st of the month” - from the Numismatic Circular, Mid-June 1940.

Photographs taken of the old Spink building following bombing during the Second World War

Spink's most dramatic war-time moment occurred when the offices were nearly hit by a bomb (see pictures). Part of the first floor of the building, where the coin department was located, fell onto the lower floor.

The celebrated Prof. Philip Grierson wrote of an early post-war visit at Spink in 1945: “The Room [L. Forrer’s office] was still in a badly damaged state, for Spink’s had been hit by a bomb earlier in the war. Some of the windows, if I remember rightly, were still boarded up, the walls and carpet were blackened by smoke and stained by damp, and many of the cabinets and pieces of furniture were scorched or broken” (Numismatic Circular December 1992).

However, after more than a hundred years, and despite wars, economic crisis, and change of governments, we are delighted to say that the Numismatic Circular is still flourishing. The forthcoming April issue will feature a very nice selection of Greek and Roman coins, British Hammered and Milled Gold and Silver coins, 17th Century Tokens (including some heart-shape tokens), Commemorative Medals and Books.

If you wish to subscribe to the Numismatic Circular, please call +44 (0)20 7563 4000, or email catalogues@spink.com.