Archive: People and Markets

There is no evidence that proves that the illicit trade in antiquities is the third largest in the world. That is the finding of a new study by Donna Yates and Neil Brodie.

Researchers Analyse the Myth About the Massive Illicit Trade in Antiquities

An extensive new study shows that the scale of the illicit trade in antiquities is much smaller than activists claim. The study demonstrates how these false numbers came about, and how we actually should deal with the problem of the illicit trade in antiquities.

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In 2022, Tokyo citizens handed in to police record ¥4 billon of lost cash. Image by David Mark from Pixabay.

Tokyo Sets New Record for Lost Cash Handed In

If you loose your cash let’s hope it happens in Tokyo. Then chances are good you get it back. Maybe in no other city in the world people hand in so much lost cash to police. There are good reasons why they do it.

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2-Euro Ticker: New €2 Coins in March 2025

Rumours about upcoming small-state euro issues are creating a buzz – and the collector year 2026 is already casting its numismatic shadow.

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100-Euro Gold Coins: Loyal Customers of Münze Deutschland Make a Bargain

Buying gold below the market price? Under normal circumstances, that’s not possible – the only exception is placing an order with the German Mint before the gold price skyrockets. As in previous years, customers of the official sales office can look forward to a substantial return.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

The Heidelberg Tun and Early Modern Winemaking

The most well-known symbol of the city of Heidelberg actually began as a sort of treasury: the Heidelberg Tun was built to accommodate the Palatinate’s tax revenue generated from winemaking. And then a Calvinist propagandist turned it into a tourist attraction. This is reflected in a medal that Künker will be auctioning on 29 September 2023.

25 Francs in Gold: Swissmint’s New Gold Coin

Since 2022, Swissmint has been issuing 25-franc gold coins. The latest release is a tribute to the history of Swiss gold coinage, combining elements of the first 20-franc piece and the enigmatic 1955 issue, which never entered circulation. And Swissmint also has some interesting plans for the future, as Ursula Kampmann discovered.
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