April 20, 2010 – On 128 pages Niklot Klüßendorf gives an introduction to numismatics to students and anyone interested in the subject. “Basics”, that is how the book calls itself – indeed it is a compilation of everything a good numismatist should be capable of.
Niklot Klüßendorf, Münzkunde. Publisher Hahn’sche Buchhandlung, Hanover 2009. 128 pages, 39 b&w illustrations. Paperback. Adhesive binding. 15 x 22 cm. ISBN 978-3-7752-6135-7. Euros 14.80.
On 128 pages Niklot Klüßendorf wants to give an introduction to numismatics to students and anyone interested in the subject. “Basics”, that is how the book calls itself – indeed it is a compilation of everything a good numismatist should be capable of. Admittedly the author is a follower of numismatics only in the broad sense who regards coins and all forms of money as but one of three types of sources. In reconstructing an ambitious history of money Klüßendorf advises not to ignore hoard finds and archival sources. In another chapter the author impressively demonstrates how many scientists are necessary to draw the maximum of information from the sources.
Anybody looking for an introduction into the history of money won’t be happy with Klüßendorf’s “Basics”. The author pursues a different goal: he wants to show his readers how the science of numismatics works – or rather should work. Hence, “Münzkunde – Basiswissen” is a must-have for anyone thinking about writing a numismatic book.