What is Scotts philosophy to numismatics?
FIRST: Specialise in very small areas and aim to establish the finest collection in the world in that area. There are plenty of opportunities available to budding numismatists. Do not generalise. Everybody has some old coins in a tin – that does not make a valuable collection. SECOND: Start collecting related material like books, letters, old maps and related documents – research the history of what you have got – it brings your collection to life. Most of the pieces in this collection have been acquired through on-line auctions and databases. (Scott acquired all his copies of Dower’s 1902 book with the Griqua Pond note for less than US$100 from antiquarian book stores in S Africa many years ago – each is today worth about US$5,000).
