Peter Mitchell died at home in Surrey, England, on Sunday morning, 14thJanuary 2024 aged 90, in the presence of his wife Jean. He had sufferedill health for a while.

Peter was the longtime managing director of well-known coin dealers AH Baldwin & Sons Ltd of The Adelphi, central London. He joined thefamily firm fresh out of school (Hampton Grammar) aged 15 in 1949 asthe 'office boy'. His father Douglas Mitchell worked there and Peter wasa great grandson of founder Albert Henry Baldwin. His early years atBaldwin's were interrupted by National Service in the army, but Peterhad the good luck to be posted to Hong Kong. While there the famouscollector of British colonial coins, Captain (later Major) Fred Pridmore,travelled up from Singapore (where he was stationed with the army) tovisit him in 1952, the start of a long association between them. Peteronly retired from Baldwin's in 1997 (before joining auctioneers DixNoonan Webb as a consultant). He was to become one of the greatBritish numismatists of his time, including cataloguing many famoussales for auction at Glendining's, Christie's, Sotheby and Spink (forexample O'Byrne, Fred Pridmore, Virgil Brand, Dick Ford, Ralph Gordon,John J Ford cut and countermarked West Indian, among many others).

He will probably best be remembered for his expertise in Britishhammered coinage and interest in the cut and countermarked series ofthe West Indies, but his knowledge was much wider than this. He was agreat supporter of the 'Erik Group' (so named from the first name initialsof its members: Edward, Ralph, Isaac, Ken), a group of four seriouscollectors of West Indian cut and countermarked coins - to the extentthat he joined them for memorable meetings in the Dominican Republicand Puerto Rico on one trip. He was assiduous in helping clients in theformation of their collections, possibly in the hope that in due coursethey might sell back to the firm directly rather than go through auction,but more likely that he was an old-fashioned dealer who simply lovedassisting collectors. He enjoyed mixing business and pleasure - typicallyafter a major 'named' auction he would host the principal collectors anddealers who had travelled to London for the sale to a lavish dinnerafterwards.

In 1967 on the death of Albert Baldwin, Peter took over theday-to-day running of Baldwin's. In 1973 the introduction of VAT wasaround the corner and this prompted Peter and others (notably PatrickFinn of Spink and Peter Seaby of the eponymous firm) to found theBritish Numismatic Trade Association, of which in due course hebecame a life member in recognition of his role in its creation (he wasalso made an honorary member of the British Numismatic Society). Hisworking relationship with Patrick was close: Peter mentioned that firstthing every weekday morning, Patrick and he would speak to each otheron the phone to discuss what they saw as any problems or issues ofmutual interest facing the coin business, such was the trust between theheads of Baldwin and Spink's coin department at that time.

In the absence of a definitive history of Baldwin's, we have Peter's (British Numismatic Journal 2003, pp197-212). Fromthis, as if any reminder were needed, we see that Peter had anencyclopaedic knowledge not only of coins, but also the major collectorsof his day (although in the article he only covers those who weremembers of the British Numismatic Society). He also had many goodstories to tell, but as someone once said, the best tales can never beretold in print! There is also the reminder of old Baldwin traditions, suchas naming major clients by just a three figure number, to ensureconfidentiality in the office in case others should overhear.

Charles Riley's memories of PDM, whom he first really got to know in1990, are without fail good ones. Peter had a good sense of humour,although by his own admission it could be 'perverse' and was good for adrink in a bar or pub, although when he got carried away he had a habitof punching one's arm so that at the end of the evening it felt as thoughyou'd spent it in a boxing ring. From 1994 Riley worked in a juniorcapacity for Baldwin's at Adelphi Terrace and saw first-hand how well hetreated the staff (which was not always typical of some othermanagement there at that time, unfortunately). In midlife, rathercuriously, Peter took up competitive rowing at Molesey Boat Club, aninterest which extended to attending Henley Regatta every year in theStewards' Enclosure. In recent years Charlie and Peter had someenjoyable correspondence by post, in which Peter expressed forthrightopinions about certain individuals - but almost certainly these will not befor publication!

Peter's first marriage was to Feiona, with whom he had a son and adaughter. The marriage was dissolved in 2001 and late in life he marriedhis childhood sweetheart Jean, who survives him, along with his childrenfrom his first marriage and grandchildren.

Peter made an immense contribution to numismatics in the UnitedKingdom and beyond, as well as adding to the gaiety of life. He was oneof the key numismatists of his generation and will be long rememberedby all who knew him. With his passing it is not a cliché to say that it isthe end of a numismatic era. He will be missed.