2. 39th World Money Fair in Berlin (Part-1)....by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point

The coin fair of superlatives – from January 29 to 31, 2010

Over 50 mints and national banks, almost as many supplier companies, eleven national and international associations, and, as a matter of course, 170 coin dealers; all these, presented in five exhibition halls with a total space of about 7,000 sq m – what the World Money Fair offers to the public is a coin fair of superlatives!

Last year, the event attracted about 13,000 visitors from Germany and abroad. Despite the financial crisis the organizers are expecting attendance to increase in 2010, as coin collecting has become more substantially more popular, given the instability of the investment market. Cautious investors prefer rare numismatic gold and silver coins to stocks and shares.

A varied program of numismatic attractions awaits the fair visitor: Impressive booths of mints from all over the world, interesting presentations, sweepstakes and raffles, a stand of the Berlin coin cabinet, not to forget the vendor tables of the numismatic dealers where a wide choice of coins and medals from all times and countries are offered; you can strike a medal yourself on a medal press of the Berlin Mint or fill your coin passport, available for 10 euro, by collecting 30 different coins from 29 mints. Nowhere else in the world can visitors experience such a comprehensive impression of numismatics.

South Africa, the home of the Krugerrand and host nation of the upcoming soccer world championship, is the guest of honor at the fair. South Africa – “A world in one country” – will present the most recent creations of its national mint at the World Money Fair. Visitors can look forward to a spectacular booth and some numismatic surprises.

Professionals from mints, industry and trade have also marked the date of the fair in their agendas, as numerous additional events are scheduled for the fair days: The meeting of the Mint Directors’ Conference and its subcommittees, the conferences of FENAP, representing the numismatic trade associations of Europe, the Media Forum that provides a platform for mints and journalists, the Technical­Forum where the mints’ representatives discuss technical issues, not to forget the Coin of the Year (COTY) Award, sponsored by Krause Publications from the United States to honor the most beautiful coins of the year.

As an overture to the 39th edition of the World Money Fair, Coin Trading Company Künker will hold two auctions on January 28, 2010, where about 1,200 lots estimated at over 2.8 million euro will be auctioned off. Künker’s auction catalog 163 contains gold and silver coins from the Middle Ages and the modern era; catalog 164 lists 439 Russian coins and medals.

The official opening of the fair takes place on Friday morning. Everybody interested in 2010 new coin ­issues should attend the Media Forum. This press event at which the most important mints of the world showcase their coin novelties is also open to collectors.

At the same time, a delegation from the World Money Fair will present the new 2-euro commem­orative coin “Bremen” to the German chancellor, thus voicing the concerns of German numismatists at the highest level.

On Saturday and Sunday, thousands of collectors will flock to the exhibition halls. Join them to discover the world of numismatics. Do not miss the 39th World Money Fair in Berlin.

Take also a look at: http://www.worldmoneyfair.ch/wmf/english/index.html