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| World
Money Fair Berlin 28. to 30. January 2011 Estrel Convention Center | |||
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Trade fair unaffected by crisis The daily bad tidings of economic crisis that continue to haunt the world in the media were far from visible at the World Money Fair in Berlin. Almost 13,000 visitors – another slight increase on the previous year’s figures – came to the three-day event at the Estrel Hotel and Convention Center, Berlin. Here, 270 exhibitors from 40 countries had set up their stall, among them over 50 mints from all five continents. Every single square meter of space that had been approved by the building inspection authorities was filled. All the numerous potential exhibitors on the waiting list could do was to hope in vain that one of the reserved stands would somehow become available to them. The 270 exhibitors provided something for everyone, from the most recent coinage to classic numismatics. The World Money Fair is more than your “average” coin exchange; it is the largest international money fair in the world. As a result, visitors are not only able to buy coins but also take a peek over the shoulders of “money makers”. Only Berlin offers this opportunity for visitors to get to know the people who produce our money. Only in Berlin are companies represented which supply the mints with machines. This fair allows visitors to see right inside the world of coin production. And, they can buy coins as well, of course. Endless queues were again the order of the day at stands where traders were selling the first-edition 2-euro “Saarland” commemorative coin at face value. But business was booming elsewhere, too. One trader noted: “If this is what happens during a financial crisis, I never want it to go away.” Whilst we clearly don’t want to put too much emphasis on this sentiment, several people did comment that the World Money Fair 2009 was the best fair they had ever attended. The auction held by Fritz Rudolf Künker, a coin trader based in Osnabrück, underscored this trend. Some experts in the coin market had expressed fears in the run-up to the Fair that prices for high-end coins might drop slightly. Their fears proved to be unfounded. Virtually no other market is as healthy as the coin market! The historically very significant Polish gold medal which was issued in 1658 to mark the liberation of the city of Torun was sold for 115,000 euros. The success of the World Money Fair was due to the exceptional organization and the healthy mix of fair events and exhibitors, as well as to the numerous visitors who understood that, in times of financial crisis, tangible assets are the best investment. They gave exhibitors – and most definitely not just bullion traders – the run-around throughout the weekend but also provided for brisk business. Behind the scenes, there is unwaning enthusiasm for the World Money Fair among experts and professionals in the field. The Media Forum has long since enjoyed a broad-ranging international presence and is the venue for mints – this year led by Canada as Guest of Honor – to present their latest products. The Technical Forum, which is only open to people in the trade, meanwhile attracts around 200 visitors! American publisher, Krause Publication, continues to bestow the Coin of the Year Award during the World Money Fair, the most important honor available for modern-day coins. And let us not forget the social events, the many parties and dinners that took place, headed by the traditional gala dinner which, this year, was held in Charlottenburg Palace. The invitation issued by the World Money Fair and the Fair’s Guest of Honor Canada was followed by around 200 guests who were entertained and witnessed the presentation of the World Money Fair Award which, this year, went to Carl Buhr, President of the Berufsverband des Münzenfachhandels. The gala dinner was also the venue for announcing who would be invited as Guest of Honor to the World Money Fair 2010: South Africa will be at the head of the world’s mints when the World Money Fair, the world’s largest coin fair, once again opens its doors at the Estrel Hotel and Convention Center from January 29 to 31, 2010.
World
Money Fair GmbH
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