Coin shops in Madrid, Spain?
Robert A. DeRose, Jr.
I am going to be in Madrid, Spain in June and was hoping to do a
little numismatics while there. My questions:
1. The guidebooks mention that the Casa de Monedas (Spanish Mint in
Madrid) has a coin museum open to the public. It's a bit out of the
way from the city center, but I could make the trip if the exhibits
are interesting enough. Has anyone visited this museum, and is it
worth it?
2. Are there any good places to buy not-too-expensive coins,
particularly ancients? I've read in the guidebooks that there is a
weekend stamp and coin flea market in the Plaza Mayor, and that many
shops nearby sell coins. Is it worth looking there, or is it all
overpriced junk peddled to unwary tourists?
3. Does anyone know (or have links to) the relevant Spanish laws on
exporting old or ancient coins? Are they closer to the enlightened
policies of Britain, or to the "shoot first, ask questions later" laws
of Greece and Turkey?
-Robert A. DeRose, Jr.
(wary tourist)
Jorg Lueke
wrote:
Robert, the Parthians never made it to Spain!!! You are going to the
wrong side of the Roman Empire, can you still change your reservations? I
suppose a few could have ended up there as slaves but they wouldn't have
had any money.
Padraic Brown
Jr.) wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>I am going to be in Madrid, Spain in June and was hoping to do a
>little numismatics while there. My questions:
>
>1. The guidebooks mention that the Casa de Monedas (Spanish Mint in
>Madrid) has a coin museum open to the public. It's a bit out of the
>way from the city center, but I could make the trip if the exhibits
>are interesting enough. Has anyone visited this museum, and is it
>worth it?
Couldn't say, but any country that's been around for so long is bound
to have some interesting items in its numismatic museum!
>2. Are there any good places to buy not-too-expensive coins,
>particularly ancients? I've read in the guidebooks that there is a
>weekend stamp and coin flea market in the Plaza Mayor, and that many
>shops nearby sell coins. Is it worth looking there, or is it all
>overpriced junk peddled to unwary tourists?
Definitely! I was in Spain several years ago and stumbled upon that
flea market. Yes, there was a lot of junk, and not a few over priced
Ike dollars (for all of you who can't seem to get them at your bank!!)
- but there was a pretty good selection of ancient and medieval stuff.
Artifacts as well, if you're after arrow / spear heads and similar.
And yes, there were several shops around. I didn't spend a whole lot
of time there, but still remember the displays full of old thalers and
similar. I have no idea how good the prices were compared to the US
market.
>3. Does anyone know (or have links to) the relevant Spanish laws on
>exporting old or ancient coins?
At the time they really didn't seem to care. I.e., they didn't search
or ask any pesky questions.
> Are they closer to the enlightened
>policies of Britain, or to the "shoot first, ask questions later" laws
>of Greece and Turkey?
While the police do carry machine guns, I don't think they're quite as
paranoid as Greece and Turkey. Of course, things may have changed.
Padraic.
la cieurgeourea provoer mal trasfu
ast meiyoer ke 'l andrext ben trasfu.
Fernando de la Cuadra
> 1. The guidebooks mention that the Casa de Monedas (Spanish Mint in
> Madrid) has a coin museum open to the public. It's a bit out of the
> way from the city center, but I could make the trip if the exhibits
> are interesting enough. Has anyone visited this museum, and is it
> worth it?
The "Casa de la moneda" museum is a good museum. You'll find a lot of
samples and a really good travel through the history of the spanish coins. I
think it's worth of a visit. At the end of the visit, there's a chance to
mint by yourself a souvenir coin.
> 2. Are there any good places to buy not-too-expensive coins,
> particularly ancients? I've read in the guidebooks that there is a
> weekend stamp and coin flea market in the Plaza Mayor, and that many
> shops nearby sell coins. Is it worth looking there, or is it all
> overpriced junk peddled to unwary tourists?
This flea market is pretty good. Of course, you'll have many problems trying
to speak with the marketers... if you do not speak spanish!! The prices are
not bad, but you can allways try to get some discount. In this kind of flea
markets in spain, if you look foreigner, they will try to get as much of
your money as they can!
> 3. Does anyone know (or have links to) the relevant Spanish laws on
> exporting old or ancient coins? Are they closer to the enlightened
> policies of Britain, or to the "shoot first, ask questions later" laws
> of Greece and Turkey?
As far as I know, there are some limitations. I'll try to find more
information, but there's another problem: it depends on the country you are
exiting the European Union. I think customs in Spain are quite difeerent
than the Letonian customs or UK customs. remember, inside European Unin
there's no frontiers. If your travel will be near the wedding of our Prince,
the frontiers will be restored some weeks!!
> -Robert A. DeRose, Jr.
> (wary tourist)
I'll be really pleased being your guide and translator for the flea market
in Plaza Mayor, mail me!!!
Fernando
Fernando de la Cuadra
has information about the museum.
http://www.fnmt.es/en/html/ho-ho.asp
Regards
Fernando
"Robert A. DeRose, Jr." <part...@yahoo.com> escribió en el mensaje
news:246d73e0.04050...@posting.google.com...
Christian Feldhaus
> remember, inside European Unin there's no frontiers.
Let me just add that this is true for those countries which apply the
Schengen acquis which on one hand includes Norway and Iceland. OTOH, the
British Isles and the 10 new member states still have border controls
for those who come from elsewhere in Europe.
> If your travel will be near the wedding of our Prince,
> the frontiers will be restored some weeks!!
That darn ;-) wedding. Had they decided to get married in summer or
fall, the date of issue of the Dalí coins which I have been waiting for
would not be delayed <g>.
Christian
Fernando de la Cuadra
> Schengen acquis which on one hand includes Norway and Iceland. OTOH, the
> British Isles and the 10 new member states still have border controls
> for those who come from elsewhere in Europe.
OK, it's true... Thanks for the correction!!!
> That darn ;-) wedding.
You cannot imagine how much... The only good thing is the 12 Euros coin
conmemorating the wedding. facial value: 12 Euros. On sale, 12 Euros. :-))
http://www.dolltoy.com/bodareal/moneda.jpeg
Robert A. DeRose, Jr.
poco de la idioma castellana, but not well enough to be mistaken for a
local, so I'll try not to be taken for too much. As for the border
controls, I will be taking a direct flight from Spain back to the US,
not into any other EU country, which might make it easier. And Jorg,
don't worry, I will keep my eyes open for any Sasanian coins that
might be there. Especially that Khusro II guy- I hear his coins are
really rare! :)
-Robert A. DeRose, Jr.
(trying to memorize the Madrid street grid)
Padraic Brown
Jr.) wrote:
>Thanks for the information, Padraic and Fernando! Yo puedo hablar un
>poco de la idioma castellana, but not well enough to be mistaken for a
>local, so I'll try not to be taken for too much. As for the border
>controls, I will be taking a direct flight from Spain back to the US,
>not into any other EU country, which might make it easier. And Jorg,
>don't worry, I will keep my eyes open for any Sasanian coins that
>might be there. Especially that Khusro II guy- I hear his coins are
>really rare! :)
One thing you might consider is mailing the coins back...
Fernando de la Cuadra
> >poco de la idioma castellana, but not well enough to be mistaken for a
> >local, so I'll try not to be taken for too much.
Mail me, I'll try to set up a tour without memorizing Madrid's grid! :-))
Fernando