In this episode, Spink China’s Head of Numismatics (Asia) Elaine Fung along with Dr. Yu Tong and Professor Alex Fang take a deep dive into the rigorous and exquisite world of Qing Dynasty Cash Coins. We discussed the thousand years old ancient philosophy behind its design to the meticulous start from hand engraved models all the way to mass production as well as other lesser known uses of cash coins in the palace and with the common people at the time.

We also focused on a numismatic titan – Dr. Werner Burger, who spent over 40 years honing on a single craft and thus managed to build a comprehensive collection of Qing Cash that contains thousands of varieties and pieces. With a unique insight, he used his expertise on western taxonomy to dissect every part of the official Qing Dynasty palace documents, which in turn created an unprecedented comprehensive study on Qing Dynasty cash coins. Dr. Tong and Professor Fang told us their first hand insight from working with this collection, and their astonishment when seeing rarities come to life in their hands.

We not only tried to introduce Qing cash to a wider audience. The conversation more importantly was a candid discussion on the purpose of collecting, whether it is just to compile and complete, to reach for the stars to get a better return in the future or truly to preserve each piece’s tangible history.

211 years ago, on a field south of Brussels, a battle was fought that would change the course of European history.

To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, we are proud to announce a new collaboration between Spink and the National Army Museum.

In this special two-part series, Senior Specialist Robert Wilde-Evans and Senior Historian Matilda Greig explore the story of the Napoleonic Wars through some of the most extraordinary objects, medals and artefacts in the NAM's collection - from Wellington's campaign cloak and a lock of Napoleon's hair to the medals earned by the soldiers who lived through the conflict.

History is more than a record of the past - it survives in the objects that witnessed it.

Find out more about the NAM:

Facebook @NationalArmyMuseum

Instagram @NAM_London

YouTube @NationalArmyMuseumUK

Website www.nam.ac.uk

Long derided as the root of all evil, money has never been far from controversy, whether simply depicting gaudy, blasphemous or tyrannical symbolism, portraying villainous characters, or facilitating fraud, conquest or even piracy. Coins, banknotes, and bonds have often provoked fits of public distaste, scandal, or outright frenzy.

Join Axel Kendrick, Head of Ancient Coins, and Tim Robson, Senior Specialist, as they delve into the murky underworld of numismatics throughout history, from Caligula and his sisters to the Abolition of Slavery.