Nicholas Costa

Nicholas Costa (often known as Nic Costa) is a multifaceted British author, historian, and artist widely recognized for his expertise on the history of coin-operated machines and ancient history. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London and has built a career that bridges academic research with artistic practice.

Costa is perhaps best known for his definitive works tracing the evolution of coin machines from ancient inventions to the precursors of modern computing.

Ancient History & Archeology: Beyond technology, he has written about ancient civilizations and archeological mysteries. Notable titles include Atlantis, the Amazons, and the Birth of Athene: The True Story, and Searching for Joanna: The Real Arodafnousa.

The Nic Costa Archive: His extensive personal collection of marketing materials, photographs, and artifacts related to the coin machine industry was donated to Canterbury Christ Church University, where it serves as a primary research resource.

The Nic Costa Collection: Experimental films he made during the late 1960’s and early 70’s are now preserved as part of the BFI National Archive in the UK

Academic and Artistic Background

As an artist and lecturer, Costa has integrated his visual training with his historical research.

Education: He holds a degree from the Royal College of Art, an institution that has informed his multidisciplinary approach to writing and research.

Discoveries: He is credited with discovering the site of a previously unknown crusader castle in western Cyprus.