Numismata Review: When a Coin Fair Becomes a Precious Metals Party
by Sebastian Wieschowski
The Numismata took place in Munich on the first weekend of spring, attracting thousands of coin collectors
Actually, the Numismata, which has been taking place annually in Munich since 1970, is a numismatic trade fair with a focus on ancient and classical numismatics - but this year it turned into a gold party: Last Friday, while dealers were setting up their stands in Munich, the price of gold in euros reached a new all-time high - gold alone rose by around 30 euros on Friday.
In addition to numismatic expert discussions, the price of gold was therefore also one of the most discussed topics at the Numismata in Munich. Collectors and investors cite a variety of reasons supporting further increases in the price of gold. Geopolitical risks are primarily mentioned as the main drivers. Recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the potential use of nuclear weapons have increased uncertainties in the world, leading investors to increasingly seek refuge in safe havens such as gold.
Despite ongoing geopolitical turbulence, analysts also emphasize the fundamental conditions that continue to support gold - for example, reports of increased interest in gold from larger private investors and institutional investors worldwide, especially from so-called "family offices" that manage wealthy families, especially in countries like Turkey and India. Another factor influencing the development of the gold price is inflation. While some indicators now repeatedly suggest a decline in the inflation rate, a reduction in interest rates for fixed-income securities and savings forms such as overnight deposits could increase the attractiveness of gold as an investment.
Some market observers predict a possible consolidation of the gold price in the coming days and weeks after it has risen sharply in a short period. Not least because of this, alongside gold at the Numismata, there were many other topics that were highly popular - foremost among them classical numismatics. From antiquity to the Federal Republic, everything was represented that has excited collectors for many years and is (more or less) resistant to trends.
The Numismata took place in Munich on the first weekend of spring, attracting thousands of coin collectors who crowded through the corridors of the exhibition grounds. The comeback of the fair in 2023 was successful after it was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The simple concept of Numismata, where only table dealers buy and sell coins, has proven itself for over 50 years and attracts mainly enthusiasts of classical numismatics. With over 2,000 visitors and more than 200 dealers, Numismata is the undisputed number one for many collectors, as other coin fairs have disappeared from the numismatic calendar in Germany.
Numismata started in 1970 as a regional fair in Munich and has evolved into a leading event across Europe under the leadership of Münzen Modes. The Modes family's commitment has contributed to Numismata being inseparably linked to Munich's numismatic tradition and enjoying an international reputation – and being one of the last regional coin shows in Germany: The numismatic events in Stuttgart and Dortmund are no longer part of Germany's numismatic schedule, and the coin fair in Hannover was announced for the final time in 2023 but was canceled shortly thereafter, with no upcoming events announced to date.
Sebastian Wieschowski has been collecting coins since childhood and, after working as a journalist with a focus on finance and economy, has switched his focus on coins and precious since 2012. He is the author of several self-published books on Bullion Coins, Panda Coins, Fake Coins and Coin Grading and works for numismatic magazines. He is also a recurring expert on the German television program Münzengalerie (Coin Gallery), the longest running numismatic television show in the world. You can find out more about his work at coinosseur.com
