Calouste Gulbenkian was born in Constantinople, had a protagonic role in the pre-WW II oil industry, and left his art collection in Lisbon. From ancient Egyptian treasures, to Della Robbia, to Rubens, to Lalique, his collection is immensely rich; and all in very good taste. In this second regard, it may only be second to The Frick in New York, but Gulbenkian's far exceeds Frick's in range.
Of Gulbenkian, also known as "Mr. Five Percent," it is said that his standard was "only the best," and it shows.
A place to come back to.
Memorial coin issued for the Alexandreia Games in Macedon during Roman times, sometime between 218 and 250 A.D. Instead of the usual profile view, Alexander faces us while looking forward and upward. Out of the 20 surviving coins, with various designs, Gulbenkian got eleven, and The Walters got three. The games collectors play. iPhone 4S, 19 October.