Spink Insider: The Podcast Where History is Valued

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 t...

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...

In this glittering episode, our Head of Coins Gregory Edmund is joined by the renowned historian Professor David Carpenter for an extraordinary deep dive into one of the most enigmatic objects in English numismatic history: the Henry III Gold Penny: Ancient royal treasure or an elaborate medieval hoax? Together, they explore the discovery of the coin, its sensational record auction price, and David’s ground-breaking research into Henry III, the Magna Carta, and the monarch’s enduring, if oft...

In this Halloween special, Arnas (Global Banknotes Coordinator) and Axel (Head of Ancient Coins) explore the curious crossroads between history, folklore, and collecting. From coins that cross the River Styx to banknotes featuring myths, they uncover the stories that blur the line between superstition and art. This episode traces the origins of Halloween itself, from its early rituals to its modern imagery, revealing how stories of the supernatural often mirror the way we preserve and t...

From postmarks to pop culture, the world of stamps has always delivered more than just postage. In this episode, Josh Barber and Tom Fell - our Heads of the Stamp Department, explore why collectors are drawn to these miniature works of art, trace the story of the very first philatelist, and reveal how stamps became cultural icons. Signed, sealed, and most certainly collected, this is one First Class Story you will not want to miss.

Gold has captivated humanity for thousands of years. From the treasures of Tutankhamun to the myth of El Dorado, from Roman coins that carried emperors' faces across empires to modern currencies shaped by golden imagery. In this episode, Ella Mackenzie (Coins Specialist) and Olivia Collier (Banknotes Specialist) explore why civilisations revered gold, its role in religion, culture and power- and why, even today, we are still drawn to its weight, brilliance, and everlasting value. ...

In AD 286, a highly capable Roman general named Carausius rebelled against the imperial regime and set up his own empire in Britannia. The so-called “arch-pirate” ruled over Britain, parts of Northern France and Belgium, repelled a major invasion force led by the Emperor Maximian, and survived far longer than most legitimate emperors of the period before his assassination in 293. The “Britannic Empire” was soon subdued and reconquered by the future emperor Constantius ‘Chlorus’ and was soon e...

Step back into the magnificent world of the Tudors, as special guest Dr. Peter Stiffel joins our Head of Coins, Gregory Edmund to discuss and explore the life and legacy of Queen Mary I. In this episode, we uncover why her reign remains one of the most controversial in English history, trace the origins of her infamous nickname, and delve into the fascinating coinage of her era. From the 'copper nose' coins of her father, Henry VIII, to the monetary reforms under Mary and Edward VI, we ...