154Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats
commemorating the publication of the second volume
of Alexander von Humboldt’s *Kosmos*.
NGC MS 65 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.
Estimate: 40.000 Euro

166Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats commemorating
the unveiling of the equestrian statue of
Frederick the Great on Unter den Linden in Berlin in 1851.
NGC MS 63 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.
Estimate: 25.000 Euro

191Prussia. William I, 1861–1888.
General’s Medal in the weight of 120 ducats, 1871,
commemorating the victory over France.
A magnificent specimen.
From the estate of Emperor William I.
Estimate: 75.000 Euro

297Russia. Nicholas I, 1825–1855. Family ruble.
1 1/2 rubles (10 zlotys), 1835, St. Petersburg.
NGC MS 64 (Top Pop).
Only 36 examples struck.
A cabinet piece from polished dies.
From the estate of King Frederick William IV.
Estimate: 250.000 Euro

1098Holland. Province.
5 ducats, 1681.
Struck with the dies of a guilder.
NGC PF 64 Cameo.
Proof.
Estimate: 40.000 Euro

1192HRE. Ferdinand II, 1592–1618–1637.
5 ducats, 1634, Vienna.
Extremely rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.
Estimate: 10.000 Euro

1266HRE. Vienna.
Salvator Medal in the weight of 12 ducats,
n. d.(around 1840).
NGC PF 61 CAMEO.
Proof.
Estimate: 15.000 Euro

1334City of Regensburg.
5 ducats, n. d. (1708–1710),
with the title of Joseph I. NGC MS 64.
Extremely rare. According to mint records,
only 7 copies struck.
A magnificent piece.
Estimate: 25.000 Euro

1602German New Guinea.
10 New Guinea Marks, 1895 A.
NGC MS 65.
A magnificent piece.
Estimate: 50.000 Euro

2757Saxony.
John Frederick the Magnanimous and
Maurice, 1541–1547.
Trinity Medal, 1544.
A masterpiece of German medal art. Magnificent,
excellent craftsmanship.
Estimate: 75.000 Euro

People and markets

Antiquarianism and Numismatics

From May 29 to July 28, a fascinating exhibition is on view at the University Museum in Toruń, Poland.
read more at our partner SIXBID

Why visit MIF?

Andrea Pancheri travelled to Maastricht to attend the MIF. Here she shares her impressions and the participants’ reactions to the dedicated coin section planned for 2027.
read more at our partner SIXBID

From May 29 to July 28, a fascinating exhibition is on display at the University Museum in Toruń, Poland.

Antiquarianism and Numismatics

From May 29 to July 28, a fascinating exhibition is on view at the University Museum in Toruń, Poland.
read more at our partner SIXBID

Why visit MIF?

Andrea Pancheri travelled to Maastricht to attend the MIF. Here she shares her impressions and the participants’ reactions to the dedicated coin section planned for 2027.
read more at our partner SIXBID







Come to think of it

Reenactment as a Tool for Numismatic Education: On the Death of Patrick McBride

Patrick E. McBride passed away on June 2, 2026. Any visitor to an ANA convention knew him: he brought numismatics to life. His portrayal of Ben Franklin brought joy to many people. A role model for numismatic education!
read more at our partner SIXBID

What is a cut bid?

Nowadays, when most bidders simply press a button on their computer, many have forgotten that, just a few decades ago, bidding was an art form. Here you can find out what psychological tricks were used in bidding and what a cut bid is.
read more at our partner SIXBID

Patrick E. McBride (1952-2026). Foto: Kolbe & Fanning

Reenactment as a Tool for Numismatic Education: On the Death of Patrick McBride

Patrick E. McBride passed away on June 2, 2026. Any visitor to an ANA convention knew him: he brought numismatics to life. His portrayal of Ben Franklin brought joy to many people. A role model for numismatic education!
read more at our partner SIXBID

What is a cut bid?

Nowadays, when most bidders simply press a button on their computer, many have forgotten that, just a few decades ago, bidding was an art form. Here you can find out what psychological tricks were used in bidding and what a cut bid is.
read more at our partner SIXBID

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Coins, Medals and more

Short-Whiskered Dragon: The dragon with the short whiskers

Heritage has valued a proof coin from the Chinese mint in Tianjin, dated 1911, at US$2 million. The proof coin is extremely rare; only three examples are known to be in private hands. More important, however, is its historical significance, as the coin symbolises the changing times in China.
read more at our partner SIXBID

The Imperial Collection

On 23 June 2026, the first part of the Hohenzollern coin collection will go under the hammer. The Osnabrück-based auction house Künker will be auctioning coins and medals from the collections of the Kings of Prussia and the Emperor of Germany. We present a selection of particularly special items and explain what the coins in the collection reveal about the character of Emperor Wilhelm I.
read more at our partner SIXBID

Archive

Bloody Flag and Scheepjesschelling

On 27 and 28 September 2024, Künker will auction off part 2 of the Beuth Collection with Dutch coins in collaboration with Laurens Schulman. This important collection includes numerous rarities. But it also contains affordable coins with two-digit estimates that are just as fascinating as their unique and extremely rare counterparts, as we will prove in this article.

For Railroad Fans: The Suram Tunnel

Railroad history is linked to numismatics in many ways. Fascinating large-scale projects were often celebrated with medals and commemorative coins. Our example takes us to Georgia: A medal that will be offered for auction by Künker commemorates the opening of the Suram Tunnel.

Why Are There So Many Coins Depicting Saint George?

Saint George is one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. He is venerated by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians, the Druze and even Muslims. What do we know about this saint? Did he even exist? And why are there so many coins depicting him?

Einer der Höhepunkte von Künker Auktion 395 ist eine spektakuläre Goldmedaille zu 110 Dukaten, die aus dem persönlichen Besitz von Fürst Ferdinand I. von Bulgarien stammt. Diese Medaille führt uns mitten hinein in eine Zeit, in der Bulgarien seine Wirtschaft modernisierte. Der Fürst packte dabei tatkräftig mit an. Und die Eisenbahn spielte dabei eine zentrale Rolle.

Bulgaria, Prince Ferdinand I and the Railroad

One of the highlights of Künker’s auction 395 is a spectacular gold medal with a weight of 110 ductats. It was the personal property of Prince Ferdinand I. of Bulgaria. This medal takes us back into a period when Bulgaria modernized its economy. And the railroad system played a major role in this.

On the road

The Mercado de Monedas y Sellos on Plaza Mayor

Madrid is unique worldwide: nowhere else has hosted a coin and stamp market every Sunday for nearly a century. At around 100 stalls, collectors of all ages browse coins from ancient times to the euro.
read more at our partner SIXBID

French Reparations, the Imperial War Treasury, and the July Uprising

After the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), France paid Germany 5 billion francs—but what became of it, and how did it shape German power? A visit to Spandau Fortress.
read more at our partner SIXBID

The Mercado de Monedas y Sellos on Plaza Mayor

Madrid is unique worldwide: nowhere else has hosted a coin and stamp market every Sunday for nearly a century. At around 100 stalls, collectors of all ages browse coins from ancient times to the euro.
read more at our partner SIXBID

Who is who

Fun

Franklin’s World:

Good to know

Selling coins and the age-old question: How do I get the most for my coins?

Consigning items for auction requires choosing the right auction house—one that gives the collection proper attention and reaches the right buyers. Commission is often a secondary consideration.
read more at our partner SIXBID

What is provenance?

Provenance: This term plays a decisive role in the coin trade today. Provenances are worth their weight in gold. The same antique coin with a proper provenance can cost several times more than it would without provenance. So what is provenance?
read more at our partner SIXBID

The Mercado de Monedas y Sellos on Plaza Mayor

Madrid is unique worldwide: nowhere else has hosted a coin and stamp market every Sunday for nearly a century. At around 100 stalls, collectors of all ages browse coins from ancient times to the euro.
read more at our partner SIXBID