Archive: People and Markets

George Frederick Kolbe.

George Kolbe Retires from Bookselling

After over 55 years in the numismatic bookseller business, George Kolbe decided to retire from the partnership of Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers.

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The Zurich International Coin Fair 2023

For many decades, the coin fair in Zurich has been the most important meeting point for the Swiss numismatic scene. In 2023, it was particularly crowded, as Swissmint had planned a special sale that drew many interested people.

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Tatort 1 und 2: Das Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst in Köln und das Römer- und Pelizaeus- Museum in Hildesheim: Fotos: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 und Longbow4u / CC0, via WikiCommons.

German Museums Continue to be Hit by Wave of Burglaries

With no end in sight, German museums are still regularly targeted by burglars. Often, the general public is unaware of the break-ins as the cases only make headlines in local newspapers. What can museums do to deal with these crimes? We present two cases from autumn 2023.

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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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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

The Eve of the Battle of Philippi: An Aureus Featuring the Portrait of Brutus

On 9 December 2024, Numismatica Genevensis will be auctioning an extremely rare aureus featuring a portrait of Brutus. The coin, estimated at CHF 750,000, was minted to pay the soldiers who fought for Brutus in the final battle at Philippi.
Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

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.
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