6 thoughts on “John Nicholas Cross Collection : Coins in the Names of Eighth and Ninth Century Kings of Northumbria and Archbishops of York – Hugh Pagan”
We have to question why the Cross collection was sold through this auction house, with no publicity and desperately poor cataloguing. This seems to have been only in the interest of the dealers and auction houses who were in the know, bought the lots and sold them on at multiples of the prices paid. The BNS would have benefitted significantly more if this sale was handled in an appropriate fashion instead of the disgraceful manner in which this collection was dispersed. It is a wonder that some of these coins were not lost or damaged in the auction process. Mr Cross’s collection deserves to be acclaimed rather than be ashamed.
The BNS advised its members of the auction in advance – it was not a ‘stitch-up’. The circumstances of Mr. Cross’s passing are tragic and the executors of his estate acted in good faith with appropriate guidance. His collection of coins was exceptional and collecting brought him much pleasure.
‘acted in good faith and with appropriate guidance’ – really ?
I knew John and I suspect he would be very upset at the way his excellent collection was treated.
I only have acquired one of John’s Northumbrian coins, I can get the metrics..
I too knew John and was sad to hear of his passing.
John told me that he had purchased one of the very rare Northumbrian sceattas of Aethelwald Moll, not too long before his passing. This coin was not part of the auction. John had other Anglo-Saxon coins that we had discussed that also were not in the sale. As far as I am aware, he did not liquidate any of the collection during his lifetime. I do wonder the fate of these other coins.
Thanks for the comments, and particularly for that from Arthur Gran. Any information relevant to Mr.Cross’s coins that would be helpful in the compilation of a future more definitive listing would be most welcome.
BNS Research Blog 
We have to question why the Cross collection was sold through this auction house, with no publicity and desperately poor cataloguing. This seems to have been only in the interest of the dealers and auction houses who were in the know, bought the lots and sold them on at multiples of the prices paid. The BNS would have benefitted significantly more if this sale was handled in an appropriate fashion instead of the disgraceful manner in which this collection was dispersed. It is a wonder that some of these coins were not lost or damaged in the auction process. Mr Cross’s collection deserves to be acclaimed rather than be ashamed.
The BNS advised its members of the auction in advance – it was not a ‘stitch-up’. The circumstances of Mr. Cross’s passing are tragic and the executors of his estate acted in good faith with appropriate guidance. His collection of coins was exceptional and collecting brought him much pleasure.
‘acted in good faith and with appropriate guidance’ – really ?
I knew John and I suspect he would be very upset at the way his excellent collection was treated.
Thank you so much for making the listing freely available. Lots of interest here. Many thanks
I only have acquired one of John’s Northumbrian coins, I can get the metrics..
I too knew John and was sad to hear of his passing.
John told me that he had purchased one of the very rare Northumbrian sceattas of Aethelwald Moll, not too long before his passing. This coin was not part of the auction. John had other Anglo-Saxon coins that we had discussed that also were not in the sale. As far as I am aware, he did not liquidate any of the collection during his lifetime. I do wonder the fate of these other coins.
Thanks for the comments, and particularly for that from Arthur Gran. Any information relevant to Mr.Cross’s coins that would be helpful in the compilation of a future more definitive listing would be most welcome.