Germany 1912 and seventeen-year old Ilse Ehrenkrantz longs for a story that is different from her middle class traditional Jewish life. Fascinated by her artistic explorations of Catholic symbols, Ilse immerses herself in a world outside her family. This decision propels her into a relationship with her cousin, Georg, a spirited story teller and passionate coin collector, who abandons Judaism for a Prussian military career. Ilse’s choices set in motion a series of consequences that divide her family. Rich with details of the era, this subtle novel—part family saga, part love story—raises questions about Jewish identity, spirituality and desire. At the center are the valuable and mesmerizing coins that will draw Ilse to become The Numismatist’s Wife.

This is the tenth entry in Whitman Publishing's popular "100 Greatest" library. Award-winning author Ron Guth has studied coins depicting women from ancient times to the modern day, building a database of more than 700 queens, princesses, empresses, actresses, political and religious leaders, goddesses, and others. These were voted on and ranked by the members of Women in Numismatics and other hobbyists to determine the 100 Greatest Women on Coins. "This book is a celebration of women's impact on numismatics," says Guth, "and a study of the relationship between them and the men who monopolize the portraiture designed for coins." Each notable woman is described with an illustrated historical, biographical, and anecdotal essay and colorful images of the coins on which she appears. Guth also discusses the long history of women featured on coins, and how anyone today can assemble a remarkable and meaningful collection. The book's scholarly value is further expanded with a checklist for the specialist, and a bibliography for further research.

"The rules of the Numismatic Society of London" bound with New Ser., v. 1.