Did you know Stack’s Bowers Galleries is selling the The Mező Tóth Kálmán Collection in our Official Auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention?
Mező Tóth Kálmán, 1920-2003
Mező Tóth Kálmán was a Hungarian-born patriot, who moved to the United States after the 1956 Hungarian revolution. He was an ardent numismatist, collecting for over 40 years from the 1960s to the time of his passing in 2003. His interest in history and his longing for his native land inspired him to collect Austro-Hungarian coins and medals.
On a visit to a New York City museum in the 1960s, Mezo Toth Kalman came across tools that were used in the production of ancient coins and medals. His interest was piqued. As he was a machinist by trade, he was able to forge many of the tools needed and taught himself the ancient craft of carving coins. He eventually made dies, a task that required considerable skill as the dies had to be carved in reverse. With his coining press he created many re-strikes of ancient medals and coins.
His work producing hand-carved historical medals and coin reproductions brought him recognition as a celebrated artist in his native country. His life’s work was to master his craft and preserve the past through his art. It is for the mastery of this ancient craft that he received acknowledgement and accolades from the numismatic community in Hungary. Collections of his work are housed in several Hungarian museums including the Hungarian National museum in Budapest.
