(syn) On both days of the fair, held last weekend, about 2,000 visitors came to Stuttgart's Schleyer-Halle to catch up on the latest tendencies in collecting, to browse around or to search for some piece to add to their coin collection. Enthusiasm was not limited to the crowd of visitors. Also the coin dealers were all satisfied with the sales achieved at one of Germany's major numismatic fairs.

In the run-up to the event, the “Monaco Coin Swap”, a promotion conducted by Berufsverband des Deutschen Münzenfachhandels, had aroused increased interest. Each visitor could exchange a comparatively rare 2-euro coin from Monaco for “normal” two euro without additional charge. Which meant that the coveted coins depicting Prince Albert II were distributed much below collector's value. Thus, it was not surprising that the booth of the association was extremely busy at times, on both days of the fair. “Lots of coin collectors wouldn't miss this great chance,” says Michael Becker, First Chairman of the association. It was he who had managed to secure a substantial allotment of Monaco 2-euro coins for the Stuttgart fair.

However, there were many more attractions to marvel at. Over 100 dealers from all over the world showcased a wealth of numismatic treasures, from ancient through modern coins. “The feedback from the exhibitors was thoroughly positive; everybody reported good business”, fair organizer Barbara Balz commented on the result of a quick poll among the coin and accessory dealers, publishers and auction houses. The trade fair manager was particularly happy about the success of the new separate exhibition part for collectors of banknotes: “This was very well received; it was really animated!”

As Stuttgart is state capital, the State Mint of Baden-Württemberg played a prominent part in the coin fair – after all, around 40 percent of all German collectors and circulation coins are minted in one of the two traditional mints of the Federal State, located at Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. How it felt like to strike a coin in former times could be experienced by the visitors themselves. Interested collectors got the chance to try their hand at the historic coin press and take home a self-made coin as a souvenir from Stuttgart Coin Fair.

A private mint from Stuttgart, specialized in all kinds of medals and commemorative coins, held a minting demonstration at their booth, offering “Swabian thalers”, among other things. At the adjacent booth, the German central bank Deutsche Bundesbank explained about error coins and counterfeits, showing “hands-on” examples of both, which prompted a great need for discussion among the fair visitors.

For all members of "Berufsverband des Deutschen Münzenfachhandels", an invitation by the Safe company to Bempflingen in the Swabian Jura was scheduled for the first evening of the fair. The highly interesting guided tour around the production facilities of this major producer of collecting albums and systems was followed by a typical Swabian dinner with wines from Baden-Württemberg.

All in all, Swabian hospitality showed itself at its best again this year at Stuttgart Coin Fair. So, for many visitors and exhibitors there was no doubt: “We will come again!” The next edition of Stuttgart Coin Fair will be held on September 21 to 22, 2013.

Contact:
World Money Fair Berlin GmbH
Phone: +49 (0)30 32 76 44 01
Fax: +49 (0)30 32 76 44 02
info@worldmoneyfair.de