City of Westminster Police are investigating the burglary after thieves knocked down a door at the house in what appears to have been a targeted raid.
As well as losing his extensive collection of Byzantine coins (which he had carefully built up as an important reference for late Byzantine coins in particular), the academic and writer also lost a large number of medals, tokens and antiquities.
Another item taken was the gold fob seal of John Winthrop (1588-1649), who emigrated to America in 1630 and became the first governor of Massachusetts. It bears the arms of the Winthrop family of Grown, Suffolk.
Many of the items stolen have appeared in Bendall’s books and articles published in academic journals.
Images and further details of the collection will be sent out to members of trade associations in due course.
Anyone with information should contact or PC Swift (ID 2109CW) of the City of Westminster Police, quoting the crime reference number: CAD 5902/12Feb18, or David Guest of Classical Numismatic Group at davidguest@cngcoins.com.
