Hansons Auctioneers Launches new Dugup Coins and Antiquities Department

Dressed for a summer's day's digging

Derbyshire based Hansons Auctioneers are expanding into coins and antiquities with a new department called Historica (Hansons Auctioneers launches new coins and antiquities department (Antiques Trade Gazette)).

Charles Hanson, founder of Hansons, has hired specialists Adam Staples and Lisa Grace as consultants and will hold three auctions a year under the new Historica banner. The first auction will be held on November 29 with 600 lots [...]. The bolt-on department will focus on UK antiquities from the iron age to the 17th century. Hanson said: “I have been looking at this area for some time but it has taken me two years to find the right people.” Staples and Grace have worked in the field of antiquities and coins for almost 36 years between them with experience of working with museums and the UK Detector Finds Database [...]. Hanson, 38, set up his business 10 years ago and employs 22 full time staff and a group of expert consultants.

Hanson referred to the firm TimeLine Auctions who have been “leading the way” in antiquities but reckons there is "room for a provincial auctioneer in the market". There are a lot of ethical issues involved in this, let us see how Hanson deals with them...