Archive: People and Markets

2026 soll die nächste Fußball-WM gemeinsam von den USA, Kanada und Mexiko ausgetragen werden. Hier eine der Dollar-Münzen, die auf die letzte WM in den USA 1994 herausgegeben wurden. Bild: US-Mint. Im Hintergrund das Giants-Stadion in New Jersey, einer der damaligen Austragungsorte. Foto: JazzyJoeyD / CC BY-SA 4.0.

NICAC Raises Concerns Over 2026 World Cup Commemorative Coins

The Numismatic Industry Coinage Advisory Committee (NICAC) released a report expressing concerns with legislation authorizing the minting of coins commemorating the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This gives us a fascinating insight into what happens behind the scenes when a coin is issued for a major sporting event.

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Federal agents, National Hellenic Museum conduct largest repatriation of ancient coins to Greece in recent HSI history. Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Customs Repatriation to Greece Raises Questions

U.S. Customs recently confiscated fifty-one ancient coins and repatriated them to the Greek Government. But was this act really covered by the MOU with Greece? Peter Tompa gives coin collectors some advises.

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Coins and banknotes – a relic of the past? Photo: Wieschowski.

Social Organisations and Bundesbank Advocate for Cash

Coins and banknotes continue to hold significant importance in an increasingly digital world – a point that prominent societal figures have recently underscored in a new position paper. They highlight the social functions of cash and its vital role for disadvantaged groups.

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The exhibition “The Other Side of the Coin” will be on view until July 23, 2023.

50 Years of Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection: “The Other Side of the Coin”

50 years ago the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection was created. Now, an anniversary exhibition in Athens presents 150 coins from the collection illustrating “The Other Side of the Coin”: coins as means of communication and objects of art.

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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.
Railway tunnel under Surami pass near the village Tsipa, Chkherimela valley, Georgia 2014. Image: Karel61 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. In front: Silver medal commemorating the opening of the Suram Tunnel in 1890 by L. Steinman. Künker auction 408, No. 234.

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.
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