Lake Baikal gold treasure

“Glorious Sea, the Sacred Baikal”, that is how the “Baikal hymn” written by Dimitrij Davydov starts. The lake is affectionately referred to as “Pearl of Siberia” since it is the world’s biggest freshwater reservoir. Lake Baikal is…

Swiss gold coins for 25 and 50 francs – chapter 2: from circulation coin to coveted rarity and then to melting

Since 1955, the Swiss mint was striking coins on a large scale – and did not issue them after all. However, a small part of them became a wanted collectible. The rest was melted down. Read here, how it happened.

Swiss gold coins for 25 and 50 francs – Part 1: historical origin

In 1953, Swiss National Bank was obligated by law to exchange banknotes for gold. The consequences: The country needed an enormous amount of gold circulation coins. But it was a rocky road up to the coinage, as you can read here.

The Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Spain – 1 Cent – 10, 20 and 50 Cent – Miguel de Cervantes

The euro coins are a splendid means for all countries in the eurozone to convey their own self-conception. Choosing Miguel de Cervantes, writer of Don Quixote as depiction of a coin is a masterstroke allowing the former global power Spain to give the best account of itself.

The Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Spain – 1, 2 and 5 Cent – Santiago de Compostela

The euro coins are a splendid means for all countries in the eurozone to convey their own self-conception. What does the pilgrimage to St. James mean to Spain? And what role did the Way of St. James play for European Christians of medieval times? Here you get the backdrop of the design of the Spanish 1, 2 and 5 cent coins.

Introduction ‘The People of Zurich and their Money’ Part 2

Our occasional series ‘The People of Zurich and their Money’ will present one exciting chapter of Swiss numismatics and economic history at a time. The introduction provides an initial overview in two parts. This second section takes us from the Thirty Years War all the way to the present day.

A numismatic relic of the Miracle of Bern

On November 22, 2011, the auction house Rapp in Wil will auction off a numismatic relic of one remarkable event in the history of sports. On July 4, 1954 Lászlo Budai and the legendary “Mighty Magyars” won “only” silver…

The lion from the north – triumphator in life as well as in death

On March 13, sale no. 247 of Osnabrück auction house Künker offers the Baums Collection featuring historical medals. The connoisseur discovers many historically interesting, artistically enchanting medals, like a piece that was created by Sebastian Dadler on the occasion of the funeral of Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden at Riddarholm Church.

The Battle of Poltava and a medal of Peter the Great

Once upon a time, there were two boozing companions hatching a plot how to deprive a juvenile of a part of his inheritance. What sounds like a perfect scenario for a Dickens novel can turn out tragic for entire peoples with the two buddies fond of tippling happen to rule Russia and Poland…

A Nordic heavy weight: the second heaviest coin of Classical numismatics

Almost 15 kilograms, as much as 4 bricks – that is the weight of the second heaviest coin of Classical numismatics, this Swedish copper plate of 8 taler. It was issued in 1659…