Schulman b.v.
Dutch numismatic auction house and dealer founded in 1880, based in Amsterdam, specialising in coins, medals and paper money.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Schulman b.v. is a Dutch numismatic auction house and dealership founded in 1880 by Jacob Schulman in Amersfoort. It is one of the oldest continuously operating coin and medal businesses in the Netherlands, with more than 145 years of experience in the trade. The firm moved to Amsterdam in 1902, initially to the Keizersgracht, and later relocated to the Jan Luijkenstraat in the Museumkwartier, where it remains today. Schulman deals in coins, medals, tokens and paper money, offering free valuations, direct purchases, and regular public auctions. It holds more than seven numismatic auctions per year, ranging from single pieces to complete collections and estates. The company is a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) and is recognised by NGC and PCGS, two major third-party grading services. It provides a lifetime authenticity guarantee on the items it sells. Schulman serves collectors, heirs and institutions, and its auction catalogues are published both online and as PDFs. The firm has handled notable coin hoards such as the Huizinge hoard, the Serooskerke hoard and the Randwijk treasure. Its historical publications, including auction catalogues and reference works, are documented in numismatic databases. The Schulman numbering system, introduced by Jacques Schulman in his handbook of Dutch coins, is used internationally. The business remains family-owned and privately held, with no public listing.
History
Schulman b.v. traces its origins to 1880, when Jacob Schulman (1849–1914) began trading in coins and medals in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. In 1889 he organised his first auction. His sons Maurits and Andreas later joined the business. In 1902 the firm established itself at the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. Within the family, different specialisations emerged in European and overseas coins. The Second World War affected the family in various ways. Maurits Schulman, son of the founder, was deported in 1943 and died in Sobibór. Jacques Schulman (1906–1990), grandson of Jacob, continued parts of the business during and after the war. He briefly ran an independent enterprise in The Hague and later returned to Amsterdam to continue the family firm. Jacques Schulman played an important role in international numismatics. He was an auctioneer, dealer and author, and served as president of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) from 1953 to 1961. Beyond his regular activities, he was active in sharing his knowledge and interest with young people, organising a weekly grab bag for secondary school students in the early 1950s where they could expand or exchange their coin collections. The company gained wider recognition through auctions of several well-known finds, such as the Huizinge coin hoard, the Serooskerke coin hoard and the Randwijk treasure. Later, a second family enterprise emerged. Laurens Schulman, son of Jacques (1906), started a business in Bussum and later Harderwijk. His daughter Yvette continued that enterprise. From the end of the nineteenth century, the Schulman family published auction catalogues, price lists and reference works. Auctions by the firm are mentioned in, among others, the Jaarboek voor Munt- en Penningkunde from 1930. The rNumis database contains an overview of more than two hundred auctions by the firm between 1891 and 1976. A well-known work by Jacques Schulman (1906) is the Handboek van de Nederlandse munten 1795 tot 1975, in which a numbering system was introduced that is used internationally and known as the Schulman number. Today, Schulman b.v. operates from a monumental building in the Museumkwartier in Amsterdam. It holds more than seven numismatic auctions per year, covering everything from coins and medals to paper money. The firm is an IAPN member, an NGC and PCGS recognised dealer, and offers a lifetime authenticity guarantee. It provides free valuations and handles sales from single pieces to complete collections and estates.
- 2026
Auction 393 scheduled for 21 October 2026 in Amsterdam; Scandinavian Auction 394 on 24 October 2026 in Kungsbacka.
- 1975
Jacques Schulman publishes Handboek van de Nederlandse munten 1795 tot 1975, introducing the Schulman numbering system.
- 1953
Jacques Schulman becomes president of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN), serving until 1961.
- 1943
Maurits Schulman, son of the founder, is deported and dies in Sobibór.
- 1902
The firm establishes itself at the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam.
- 1889
Jacob Schulman organises his first auction.
- 1880
Jacob Schulman begins trading in coins and medals in Amersfoort.
Products and positioning
Trusted, long-established numismatic auction house and dealer with a lifetime authenticity guarantee, serving collectors, heirs and institutions from Amsterdam.
Numismatic auctions
More than seven auctions per year covering coins, medals and paper money.
Free valuations
Complimentary appraisal of coins, medals or banknotes by experts.
Direct purchase
Purchase of single pieces to complete collections and estates.
Auction catalogues
Published online and as PDFs for each auction.
Sources3 sources
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