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 First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s
A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.
What Will Be Depicted on Croatia’s Euro Coins?
In 2023, Croatia will become the youngest member of the euro zone. The themes of Croatia’s euro coins have already been chosen – and one of them has stirred up controversy. Let’s find out how Croatia presents itself to Europe on its new coins.
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.
Rebel Emperors of Britannia: Carausius and Allectus
At the end of the third century AD, Carausius and Allectus successively ruled Britain, and parts of the Continental coast, as rebel emperors for a period of ten years. A new book, published by Spink Books, aims to tell the incredible story of these two rebel emperors. Learn more about them and their rich coinage in this article.
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