MEDALS ROUNDTABLE: Orders, Decorations and Medals | April 2026

Unmasking Qing Cash - Episode 24

In this episode, Spink China’s Head of Numismatics (Asia) Elaine Fung along with Dr. Yu Tong and Professor Alex Fang take a deep dive into the rigorous and exquisite world of Qing Dynasty Cash Coins. We discussed the thousand years old ancient philosophy behind its design to the meticulous start from hand engraved models all the way to mass production as well as other lesser known uses of cash coins in the palace and with the common people at the time.  We also focused on a numismatic titan – Dr. Werner Burger, who spent over 40 years honing on a single craft and thus managed to build a comprehensive collection of Qing Cash that contains thousands of varieties and pieces. With a unique insight, he used his expertise on western taxonomy to dissect every part of the official Qing Dynasty palace documents, which in turn created an unprecedented comprehensive study on Qing Dynasty cash coins. Dr. Tong and Professor Fang told us their first hand insight from working with this collection, and their astonishment when seeing rarities come to life in their hands.  We not only tried to introduce Qing cash to a wider audience. The conversation more importantly was a candid discussion on the purpose of collecting, whether it is just to compile and complete, to reach for the stars to get a better return in the future or truly to preserve each piece’s tangible history.

The Road to Waterloo: Inside the National Army Museum | Part 1 - Episode 23

211 years ago, on a field south of Brussels, a battle was fought that would change the course of European history. To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, we are proud to announce a new collaboration between Spink and the National Army Museum.  In this special two-part series, Senior Specialist Robert Wilde-Evans and Senior Historian Matilda Greig explore the story of the Napoleonic Wars through some of the most extraordinary objects, medals and artefacts in the NAM's collection - from Wellington's campaign cloak and a lock of Napoleon's hair to the medals earned by the soldiers who lived through the conflict.  History is more than a record of the past - it survives in the objects that witnessed it.  Find out more about the NAM: Facebook @NationalArmyMuseum Instagram @NAM_London YouTube @NationalArmyMuseumUK Website www.nam.ac.uk [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/WTMnCoQpDiwQrDizhLcpztPQ?domain=nam.ac.uk]

Dirty Money: Scandals, Scams and Controversy in Coins, Banknotes and Bonds - Episode 22

Long derided as the root of all evil, money has never been far from controversy, whether simply depicting gaudy, blasphemous or tyrannical symbolism, portraying villainous characters, or facilitating fraud, conquest or even piracy. Coins, banknotes, and bonds have often provoked fits of public distaste, scandal, or outright frenzy.  Join Axel Kendrick, Head of Ancient Coins, and Tim Robson, Senior Specialist, as they delve into the murky underworld of numismatics throughout history, from Caligula and his sisters to the Abolition of Slavery.

From Match-Worn Shirts to World Cup History | Inside Sports Memorabilia - Episode 21

From the earliest days of the FIFA World Cup to some of the most infamous moments in modern football history, sporting objects always leave something behind.  In this episode, we step inside the world of sports memorabilia with special guest David Convery from Budds, exploring how moments in sport are transformed into collectable history. What makes something “match-worn” so significant? Why do collectors place such value on the physical traces of the game? And how do certain objects come to define entire eras of sporting memory? From early international tournaments to iconic World Cup moments that still resonate today, this conversation looks at the emotional and historical weight carried by the objects that survive the game. Find out how sport becomes legacy, and how legacy becomes collectable🏆⚽

Albania: The Unknown Border Between East and West - Episode 20

In this episode of the Spink Insider Podcast, Giuseppe Razza and Fernando Martínezexplore the remarkable world of Albanian postal history and hidden stories carried across one of Europe’s most complex frontiers. Far beyond stamps as objects, this conversation examines what postal history can reveal about empires, conflict, economics, and power. Through rare and extraordinary material, we trace Albania’s position between East and West and discuss how letters, covers, and forgotten postal routes can sometimes preserve details that official history has overlooked. From unique discoveries and legendary rarities to the personalities behind decades of research, this is a fascinating discussion about history told through paper, ink, and survival across dangerous borders.