Archive: People and Markets

Voting for the Best Latvian Collector Coin of 2024 is Open

From 24 March to 6 April 2025, Latvijas Banka, in cooperation with the news portal Delfi, organises the traditional public vote “Latvia’s Coin of the Year 2024”. This vote will, for the 21st time, determine the public’s favourite collector coin issued during the previous year.

Medieval Coin Hoard Found in the Black Forest

In Southwest Germany, a significant medieval coin hoard was recently discovered, consisting of ca. 1,600 coins from the period around 1320 AD. The coin hoard is said to be the largest one found in South Baden in 75 years.

Euro Counterfeits: Fraudsters Increasingly Target Commemorative Coins

The number of counterfeit euro coins surged dramatically in 2023, with €2 coins—particularly commemorative issues—being the primary targets. Counterfeiters are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques, while investigators are analysing new varieties to track down illegal minting operations.

2-Euro Ticker: New 2-Euro Coins in April 2025

There were no official issue dates for 2-euro coins in April, but one topic is currently occupying 2-euro coin collectors in particular: the new issuance policy of Finland.

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.
Gaius Iulius Vindex. Denar, zwischen März und Mai 68, Vienne(?). Äußerst selten. Vorzüglich. Taxe: 1.500 Euro. Aus Auktion Heidelberger Münzhandlung 89 (12. November 2024), Nr. 113. Hintergrund: Büste Neros, im Kapitolnischen Museum in Rom (cjh1452000 - CC BY-SA 3.0) und Büste Galbas im Stockholmer Schloss (Wolfgang Sauber / CC BY-SA 3.0).

The Roman Civil War of 68/9: The Prelude to the Year of the Four Emperors

Heidelberger Münzhandlung will offer a series of coins of impeccable quality struck during the Roman Civil War at its auction on 12 and 13 November 2024. We take advantage of this opportunity to examine the historical background of these issues, going back to a time when counter-emperors did not (yet) dare to put their portrait on coins.
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