A blog on the SAFE Corner takes aim at the ACCG and its officers. Below is a response to that attack.

In his blog post “Can Cultural Property Legislation Kill an Academic Discipline?” (13 Sep 2007) Nathan Elkins boldly attacks a discipline that he evidently does not understand. Numismatics evolved as a science over many centuries, through the cooperative effort of independent and professional scholars. The views of Mr. Elkins seem to miss the whole point of this symbiotic relationship. The first words of the Elkins post are designed to cast independent and institutional scholars as having different interests. He singles out the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG) and its officers as opponents of cultural property protection and asks rhetorically and tongue in cheek, whether cultural property legislation can kill numismatics as an academic discipline. Numismatics is not an “academic discipline” but rather a science that embraces all who nurture it.

It is first necessary to correct a misconception under which Mr. Elkins labors. As founder and Executive Director of the ACCG, I can say with unequivocal assuredness that the guild does not oppose cultural property protection. In fact, our mission is very clearly stated in our guild bylaws. That is, we seek to “promote and nurture the free and independent collecting of coins from antiquity.” That is our sole purpose. The bylaws also state that “The guild does not in any way support, condone or defend the looting of designated archaeological sites, nor the violation of any nation’s laws concerning the import or export of antiquities. ” The ACCG has never taken any action that would lead to or condone the destruction of cultural property. Contrary to Mr. Elkins’ claim, it is not our aim, nor has it ever been, to hinder the protection of cultural property. It is our aim to preserve the freedom of private ownership. We simply demand fair treatment for coin collectors and dealers from government bureaucracies, here and abroad. (more…)

By Numismaster

In a day and age when there are chronic anxieties about attracting young collectors to the hobby of coin collecting, one organization has found a formula that results in meaningful numismatic connections with young people. Ancient Coins for Education, or ACE, is a non-profit organization that works primarily with middle school and high school students, and their teachers (both public and private), to promote education and cultural appreciation of the classics and the ancient world through the study of ancient coins. Amongst the many numismatic-related activities they facilitate, ACE places primary importance on putting real ancient coins directly into the hands of young people.

Metal detecting rally on Englefield estate turns up gold coins dating as far back as 100 BC

ANCIENT gold coins were among the finds uncovered by metal detecting enthusiasts who descended on the Englefield estate on Sunday (September 9). Over 280 people armed with metal detectors arrived to sweep fields on the estate in the hope of finding rare historical treasures.

One top find was an Iron Age gold quarter stater, engraved with the image of a rearing horse. Dating from around 100 BC, it comes from the Atrebates tribe who spread across south east England from their Silchester capital.

By World Coin News

The 36th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention will be held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Jan. 5 - 13. The event features multiple auction sessions as well as a four-day world and ancient bourse area, which features dealers from around the world.

Auction lot viewing will open Saturday, Jan. 5, when Heritage Auctions showcases the material it will sell Jan.6 and 7. Gemini, Ltd, a joint venture by dealers Rob Freeman and Harlan Berk, will hold it session Jan. 8. Classical Numismatic Group will hold a multi-session auction on Jan. 8 and 9. A consortium consisting of M&M Numismatics, Baldwin’s, Ltd. and Dmitry Markov will sponsor a two-session sale on Jan. 9 and 10, while Ponterio and Associates will follow with sessions on the evenings of Jan. 11 and 12. The 2008 NYINC auction offerings will conclude on Jan. 13 with a sale sponsored by Vilmar Collectibles and La Galerie Numismatique.

New evidence in the form of coins suggests the existence of Telugu kingdoms ahead of the Satavahanas in the pre-Christian world

HYDERABAD: Epigraphic evidence could not help the ‘Telugu cause’ all these years. Quotes from the Puranas did not succeed in establishing the ‘age’ of the language and Telugu continues to be denied the ‘classical language’ status.

However, fresh evidence to support the claim has been unearthed and that could prove the existence of Telugu kingdoms ahead of the Satavahanas in the pre-Christian world. (more…)