Jan Schoten

A love for stories. That is what drives Jan Schoten. It is reason enough for him to start working in the media after obtaining a college degree in journalism in Zwolle. Meanwhile, Jan also develops his passion for collecting stamps. It is again the stories that fascinate him. He shares this hobby with his childhood friend Jacco Scheper.

In 2001, Jacco convinces Jan to make a career out of his hobby and join MPO (now: Heritage Auctions Europe). He certainly doesn't regret this. As an appraiser and parceller, Jan specializes in medieval and provincial coins from the Netherlands as well as colonial coins. In addition, he focuses on paper money.

Jan sees banknotes as small design paintings that tell us about the rich history of the countries that issue them. He advises customers about the possibilities of selling and buying coins and paper money, and about grading and slabbing. 

Moreover, Jan is an editor for the annual coin almanac of the Dutch Association of Coin Traders (NVMH), for which he contributes his knowledge of banknotes and older Dutch coins.