CNG ISSUES 50TH ANNIVERSARY MEDAL

Classical Numismatic Group, LLC has marked its 50th year in service to numismatics by commissioning the striking of a limited-edition medal depicting a triple portrait the firm's two founders, Victor England and Eric McFadden, and its current owner and Managing Director, Michael Gasvoda, as a special gift for CNG's consignors.

The one-ounce medals were struck in silver and brass by the Shenyang Mint, the oldest continuously operating mint in China, well-known for its craftsmanship and attention to historical detail. In keeping with CNG's focus on ancient and world coins, the medal's design echoes other triple-portrait coins issued by the Triumvirs of the Roman Republic and a Napoleonic-era a medal showing the rulers Prussia, Russia and Austria in alliance. The reverse depicts a stylized number 50 surrounded by a repeating pattern featuring CNG's palmette logo.

Figure 2: Roman bronze coin of the 2nd Triumvirate, struck circa 40 BC.

CNG's origin can be traced back to the spring of 1975, when Victor England, fresh from the University of Denver, CO, founded a rare coin business. After surveying his competition in the field, he chose to concentrate on ancient, medieval, and world coinage. Victor England Ltd. was started in Denver, Colorado, not far from his alma mater. In 1983, he relocated his family hometown of Quarryville, PA, where four years later he formed Classical Numismatic Auctions Ltd.

Figure 3: Silver Medal of the Triple
Alliance against Napoleon, circa 1813.

In 1990, Victor joined forces with Eric J. McFadden, who had studied classics at Oxford University (where he served as president of the Oxford Numismatic Socieity) and had worked at Los Angeles-based Numismatic Fine Arts before pursuing a degree at Harvard Law School and working four years as an attorney. Eric initially worked initially out of an office in Beverly Hills, CA. Classical Numismatic Auctions thus became Classical Numismatic Group, which continued to expand by acquiring a venerable British coin firm, B.A. Seaby Ltd., a short time later. Eric relocated to London in 1991 and managed CNG's office there for the next 27 years. In 1993, the stateside office relocated to Lancaster, PA, where it remains today.

For the next two and a half decades, CNG grew rapidly to become the premier firm in the United States dealing primarily in ancient, world and British coins. From small beginnings, the staff grew as well and served as a training ground for many notable numismatists. The firm initially published four large Mail Bid catalogs per year, in which thousands of collectors participated on a regular basis. From the late 1990s, CNG pioneered the digital marketplace on the internet for ancient and world coins, beginning its own series of bi-weekly electronic auctions in 2001. In 1997, CNG launched the annual Triton series of auctions in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention, at first in conjunction with Numismatica Ars Classica and Freeman & Sear, and after 2000 by itself. The 2016 Triton Auction, featuring the Dr. Lawrence Adams Collection of gold coins, achieved a hammer price of $26 million.

In 2018, Victor and Eric sold CNG to Mike Gasvoda, reincorporating the firm as Classical Numismatic Group, LLC. Mike set out to expand the staff to accomplish the many projects that both he and Victor and Eric had wanted to accomplish, all while continuing the strong traditions of CNG. Victor and Eric were retailed as Consulting Directors, while Paul Hill and Caroline Holmes were hired to help run the London office. In the US, David Michaels, who had worked at CNG 1998-2001, returned to manage shows and consignments, while Steve Pruzinsky took over as CFO. CNG has made numerous staff additions since then to expand its leading market position and to keep up with the burgeoning number of coins in its bi-weekly and feature auctions.

Over the years, CNG has won numerous awards for its contributions to the numismatic hobby. In 2010, Victor England received the American Numismatic Society's Trustee's Award, which Mike Gasvoda also received at the 2019 ANS Gala. In 2022, CNG won the Numismatic Literary Guild award for Best Auction Catalog of World Coins.

"Turning 50 is indeed a worthwhile celebration that few numismatic firms have achieved," said Gasvoda. "The past 50 years have been an incredible journey. Equally important, the future of CNG looks very bright."

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