People and markets
The London Mint Office is insolvent
The London Mint Office has been in administration since 31 July 2026. Under UK law, this refers to a form of voluntary administration involving an automatic stay of payments due to insolvency.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Update on US Tariffs on Coins
And once again, President Trump has announced new tariffs. The good news is: They do not appear to affect coins and collectibles.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Come to think of it
Contemporary coins: a reflection of our times
To what extent do contemporary coins reflect our times and our sensibilities? Ursula Kampmann illustrates this using CIT’s ‘Scottish Highlands’ coin.
read more at our partner SIXBID
What Is the Value of a Coin?
Ursula Kampmann presents a few extreme examples—all of which were auctioned in June 2026—and analyzes the values.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Contemporary coins: a reflection of our times
To what extent do contemporary coins reflect our times and our sensibilities? Ursula Kampmann illustrates this using CIT’s ‘Scottish Highlands’ coin.
read more at our partner SIXBID
What Is the Value of a Coin?
Ursula Kampmann presents a few extreme examples—all of which were auctioned in June 2026—and analyzes the values.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Coins, Medals and more

From 10,000 to 325,000 euros: Catherine the Great dominates the auction
The Heidelberger Münzhandlung offered a 10-ruble coin of Catherine the Great at auction 92, starting at €10,000. It climbed to €325,000. We explain why, and what makes this coin so special.read more at our partner SIXBID

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
Archive
The Bending Willow Tree
On 29 January 2025, Künker is going to auction off a unique willow tree coin. The reverse of the 10-ducat piece depicts a willow tree in a storm. But what is the message that William V, the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel on whose behalf the coin was created, wanted to convey with this issue?
Sisi and Franz: Commemorating the Dream Wedding that Was Actually a Nightmare
As part of the phaleristic auction 415 on 28 October 2024, Künker will be auctioning the set of gold medals that Emperor Franz Joseph presented to his father-in-law, Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria. It is the numismatic souvenir of a wedding that turned out to be a nightmare for his daughter – young Elisabeth, who is better known as Sissi or Sisi today.
Marcus Antonius: The Loser Who Did Not Write History
Künker’s auction 419 features numismatic rarities from the Roman civil war that followed Caesar’s death. In addition to the Eid Mar denarius, aurei of Marcus Antonius will cross the auction block. We will re-tell his story – from his point of view, not that of Augustus.
Frederick III of Denmark and Eben Ezer
SINCONA’s Auctions 92 to 95 will take place from 21 to 25 October 2024. This article introduces one of the many rarities up for sale: a so-called “Ebenezer” coin from Denmark. The 4-Ducat piece is extremely rare and of great historical interest.
On the road
Boston Is Getting a Museum of American Finance
Boston is opening a new Museum of American Finance: Discover rare banknotes, U.S. financial history, and interactive exhibits exploring the world of money.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Japan Mint: Hiroshima Branch
The Japan Mint doesn’t just produce beautiful circulation coins. It also manages the entire production process in-house, from the blank to the finished coin. This makes Japan one of the few countries that are completely self-sufficient when it comes to its circulation coins. We visited the branch of the Japan Mint in Hiroshima.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Boston Is Getting a Museum of American Finance
Boston is opening a new Museum of American Finance: Discover rare banknotes, U.S. financial history, and interactive exhibits exploring the world of money.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Who is who
Fun
Franklin’s World:
Good to know
What is a Kontorniat?
The word ‘Kontorniat’ comes from Italian and is derived from the Italian ‘contorno’ (= edge). You can find out here what cultural and historical phenomenon lies behind these numismatic objects.
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
Boston Is Getting a Museum of American Finance
Boston is opening a new Museum of American Finance: Discover rare banknotes, U.S. financial history, and interactive exhibits exploring the world of money.
read more at our partner SIXBID
















































The London Mint Office is insolvent
The London Mint Office has been in administration since 31 July 2026. Under UK law, this refers to a form of voluntary administration involving an automatic stay of payments due to insolvency.
read more at our partner SIXBID
Update on US Tariffs on Coins
And once again, President Trump has announced new tariffs. The good news is: They do not appear to affect coins and collectibles.
read more at our partner SIXBID