About us

The origins of Modern Numismatics International

Although Modern Numismatics International was only founded in 2007, the company’s history dates back to the 1960s. At that time, coin collecting was not as widespread a hobby as it is today. Usually, mainly older coins were collected. Mr. Eduard Dirk Jan van Roekel (often called EDJ or Ed) was one of these coin collectors. It was his hobby, his passion. But it was a hobby that was increasingly getting out of hand.

Because Ed traveled frequently for his business, he managed to buy coins here and there around the world, steadily expanding his collection. At the same time, he noticed significant differences in quality and price at the various places where he purchased his coins. With his ingrained entrepreneurial spirit, he soon took advantage of these differences and stopped buying solely for his own collection. The quantities increased, and the moment approached when he could turn his hobby into his profession. The bedroom in a beautiful village in the Netherlands was converted into an office.

First real European coin wholesaler

From that moment on, the development of the first true coin wholesaler in Europe proceeded at a rapid pace. The bedroom soon became too small, and a new location had to be sought. A general practitioner’s home was found, and the practice was converted into an office. Growth continued, and alongside Ed, his wife and several other family members also found work in the coin industry. Simultaneously, the coin market continued to grow and change. Not only was collecting older coins popular, but more and more modern coins were being issued as well. Because the company maintained good contacts all over the world, growth was only a matter of time. The home office soon became too small again, and a new location had to be sought. An old villa a few villages away, just outside Amsterdam, proved suitable. After a thorough renovation, the premises were put into use.

Ed wasn’t getting any younger and actually wanted to take things a bit easier. He felt he had had enough of all that traveling. He went looking for a second-in-command. After some searching, he ended up with Fokko Knol. A recently graduated young man who, besides having a lot of energy, also had a big mouth. Fokko was trained and soon realized that the company offered the opportunity to grow much further. Ed and Fokko quickly agreed on a phased takeover.

Healthy growth (and sales to collectors)

The company was doing well. Healthy growth, healthy turnover, healthy profits. In addition to wholesale, Fokko soon focused on the direct sale of coins to collectors in the Netherlands. That branch of the business grew rapidly and became an increasingly important part of the entire company. The company grew so fast that they soon had to look for a new location. Therefore, the activities for Dutch collectors moved to another location. By then, Fokko had become the 100% owner of the company. Ed was an advisor, but he also increasingly devoted himself to his other passions: sailing in the summer and playing bridge all year round.

Beginnings of Modern Numismatics International

After some wandering, during which the company became part of large international corporations, Fokko decided to leave this group in 2006 and start his own business again. Once again, a relatively small company where work is done with great pleasure and passion in the coin market. Under the motto “In the service of the Collector,” the market was served once more from a small village just outside Amsterdam. In 2007, Modern Numismatics International started from scratch on the task of becoming one of the leading companies.

Modern Numismatics International of today

Now, more than 10 years later, Modern Numismatics International has once again grown into one of the leading companies in the coin industry. Through precise positioning as a purely business-to-business organization, the company is able to attract many customers and suppliers. By keeping value creation in mind as the primary credo for all participants in the value chain, the end of growth is nowhere in sight. With a small team of currently around 20 employees, the ambition is to continue growing into the largest wholesaler of commemorative coins in Europe.