About us

Q: How long has Schulman b.v. been in business?

Schulman b.v. was founded in 1880 by Jacob Schulman and has therefore been in business for more than 145 years. The first auction took place in 1890 and we are now approaching auction number 400. That makes us one of the oldest and most experienced firms in the field.

Schulman b.v. is the oldest coin auction house in the Netherlands. Founded in 1880 by Jacob Schulman, the company has since conducted traditional coin trading and organised hundreds of coin auctions, becoming one of the leading players in the numismatic market.

Our centre of gravity is Dutch numismatics in the widest sense: provincial coinage of the Republic, coins of the Kingdom, and the colonial and VOC material connected with it. We also handle ancient coins, paper money, medals and decorations. Our specialists cover virtually every sub-field, so a collection does not have to be split across several firms.

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Interior of Schulman Amsterdam with a historic atmosphere and collectables on display

Member of the IAPN

As a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN), we guarantee the authenticity of all coins and medals we sell. Buyers can rest assured that incorrect items can always be returned and the purchase price will be fully refunded.

Membership in the IAPN is a quality mark that requires years of experience, expertise and a good reputation in the numismatic world, and is not awarded lightly. We are also a member of the NVMH, the Dutch Association of Coin Dealers. Both memberships require the same standard of care in identification, authentication and description.

Twelve Caesars coin set with portraits of Roman emperors for collectors and numismatists

Why choose Schulman?

Experience and Expertise

Schulman has been active in professional numismatics since 1880 and has organised coin auctions since 1889. Since then, we have positioned ourselves as one of the leading names in the numismatic world, and we will soon reach auction number 400.

Our specialists cover almost every area of numismatics, allowing us to guarantee an accurate and professional description of your objects, no matter where they come from.

International circle of buyers

Our buyers and consignors come from around 80 countries. Every sale can be bid on from anywhere: live through our own platform, in writing by email, by telephone for higher-value lots, and through the international platforms Sixbid and NumisBids. We process international consignments daily.

Coin grading

Do you want to have your coins, banknotes or medals graded by a third party in connection with sales? Grading refers to the process of assessing and certifying the condition of an object by a professional organisation. Schulman b.v. is an authorized dealer with PCGS and NGC and is happy to help you with this assessment so you can get the most out of your items when selling. With our experience, we can also advise on which of your items could benefit from this service.

International presence

One of the pillars of Schulman's success is our international presence. Combined with a client network built since 1880, this gives us one of the broadest collector bases in the market. We participate in the largest coin fairs worldwide and regularly visit countries such as the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Germany and other parts of Europe.

Man wearing glasses examining coins with a loupe at a table covered with coins and displays

Historisch archief met oude veilingcatalogi en naslagwerken van Schulman

Provenance research

For notable pieces we trace the history: which collection a coin came from, in which sale it was previously offered and whether it has been illustrated in the literature. We use old auction catalogues, standard reference works and our own archive, which goes back to the nineteenth century. A documented provenance can raise the value of a piece considerably, and it confirms that the piece has taken a legitimate route through the market.

About the name

Jacob Schulman began trading coins in 1880 and from the start kept records of the pieces that passed through his hands. That archive, with record cards, auction catalogues and notes going back to the nineteenth century, has remained with Schulman b.v. It is still used every day for identification and provenance research. The Schulman name appears more than once in numismatics; other companies bearing the name are independent businesses and are not connected to Schulman b.v.

Portret van Jacob Schulman, oprichter van Schulman b.v. in 1880

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Seventeenth-century silver medal with a rider on horseback

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FAQs

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What is Schulman's area of specialism?

Which associations is Schulman a member of?

Schulman b.v. is a member of the IAPN, the International Association of Professional Numismatists, and of the NVMH, the Dutch Association of Coin Dealers. Both require their members to meet high professional standards in identification, authentication and description. We are also an authorized dealer with PCGS and NGC.

Does Schulman carry out provenance research?

Yes. For notable pieces we establish which collection they came from, in which sale they were previously offered and whether they have been illustrated in the literature. We use old auction catalogues, standard reference works and our own archive, which goes back to the nineteenth century. A documented provenance can raise the value of a piece considerably.

How long has Schulman b.v. been in business?

Schulman b.v. was founded in 1880 by Jacob Schulman. The first auction took place in 1889 and we are now approaching auction number 400. That makes Schulman the oldest coin auction house in the Netherlands.

Where is Schulman based?

Our office is at Jan Luijkenstraat 94 in Amsterdam, in the Museum Quarter, within walking distance of several museums and easily reached by public transport. You are welcome by appointment for an appraisal or a conversation. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00; the office is closed on auction days and during certain public holidays.