In the auction “Numisma – Provenance Jacob Hirsch”, we encounter a unique collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins with an unbroken history, untouched for over a century. All the coins were purchased from the legendary coin dealer Jacob Hirsch in Munich before 1914 and have remained in the same Swedish family ever since. The coins are accompanied by Hirsch’s handwritten descriptions, references and details of previous collections.
Jacob Hirsch (1874–1955) was one of the most influential coin dealers of his time. His catalogues were groundbreaking for their clear photographs and meticulous references to numismatic literature and earlier collections. He later continued his business in Switzerland and became an adviser to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Highlights of the auction include distinctive Greek and Roman provincial coins in both silver and bronze, with particular emphasis on the latter. Demand for well-documented ancient coins remains strong, while provenances from the early international coin trade have become increasingly sought after. Here, attractive objects are combined with documentation and provenance that make each coin part of both the history of antiquity and the history of numismatics.
