154Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats
commemorating the publication of the second volume
of Alexander von Humboldt’s *Kosmos*.
NGC MS 65 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 40.000 Euro

166Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats commemorating
the unveiling of the equestrian statue of
Frederick the Great on Unter den Linden in Berlin in 1851.
NGC MS 63 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 25.000 Euro

191Prussia. William I, 1861–1888.
General’s Medal in the weight of 120 ducats, 1871,
commemorating the victory over France.
A magnificent specimen.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 75.000 Euro

297Russia. Nicholas I, 1825–1855. Family ruble.
1 1/2 rubles (10 zlotys), 1835, St. Petersburg.
NGC MS 64 (Top Pop).
Only 36 examples struck.
A cabinet piece from polished dies.
From the estate of King Frederick William IV.Estimate: 250.000 Euro

1098Holland. Province.
5 ducats, 1681.
Struck with the dies of a guilder.
NGC PF 64 Cameo.
Proof.Estimate: 40.000 Euro

1192HRE. Ferdinand II, 1592–1618–1637.
5 ducats, 1634, Vienna.
Extremely rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.Estimate: 10.000 Euro

1266HRE. Vienna.
Salvator Medal in the weight of 12 ducats,
n. d.(around 1840).
NGC PF 61 CAMEO.
Proof.Estimate: 15.000 Euro

1334City of Regensburg.
5 ducats, n. d. (1708–1710),
with the title of Joseph I. NGC MS 64.
Extremely rare. According to mint records,
only 7 copies struck.
A magnificent piece.Estimate: 25.000 Euro

1602German New Guinea.
10 New Guinea Marks, 1895 A.
NGC MS 65.
A magnificent piece.Estimate: 50.000 Euro

2757Saxony.
John Frederick the Magnanimous and
Maurice, 1541–1547.
Trinity Medal, 1544.
A masterpiece of German medal art. Magnificent,
excellent craftsmanship.Estimate: 75.000 Euro

Archive: People and Markets

Swinging London: Coinex 2024

Despite Brexit and competing events, Coinex is definitely worth a trip – especially to meet the many young dealers who gather there. After all, London is swinging at Coinex, too! Ursula Kampmann reports.

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Das Objekt der Begierde: Die 2-Euro-Gedenkmünze zum 500. Jahrestag des Vertrages von Burgos. Foto: Musee des Timbres et des Monnaies.

A Coveted 2-Euro Coin: Monaco Introduces Penalty Fee for Multiple Orders

The Principality’s commemorative coins are among the most expensive and sought-after collectibles in the eurozone – but they have also attracted speculators for years. The sales office is now taking drastic measures.

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Freshly unearthed silver coins – denarii of the Bohemian princes from the turn of the 11th to the 12th century. Photo: Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague.

More Than 2,000 Medieval Denarii Discovered in Czechia

It is said to be one of the most important Czech coin hoards of the last 10 years: more than 2,000 coins from the period around 1100 have been discovered near Kutná Hora. The find dates from a time of conflict between members of the Přemyslid dynasty for control of the Prague princely throne.

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John Highfill († 15 June 2025)

Tulsa, Oklahoma rare coin dealer John Highfill, founder of the National Silver Dollar Roundtable and author of a landmark 1,200-page reference book, The Comprehensive U.S. Silver Dollar Encyclopedia, passed away on June 15, 2025. He was 82.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Karl Ludwig von Bruck, the mastermind behind the Vienna Coinage Treaty. We chose not to depict Emperor Franz Josef I at this point, who is shown on the coins, but the liberal politician Karl Ludwig von Bruck. Born into the family of a bookbinder in Elberfeld (now Wuppertal, Germany), he worked his way up from a merchant’s position to become Austria’s finance minister. He could almost be described as a beacon of hope for Austrian economic policy. It was tragic – and not just for him personally – that Franz Josef “ungraciously” dismissed him in April 1860 on false suspicions. The then 61-year-old took his own life. This deprived Austria of an imaginative politician who might have prevented its economic marginalization by Prussia.

A War Fought with Unusual Weapons: How Prussia Used Finance and Politics to Force the Habsburg Hereditary Lands Out of the German Confederation

On 26 March 2024, the Künker auction house will offer the Tursky Collection with coins of Emperor Franz Joseph I. We use specimens from this collection to tell the story of how Prussia used its economic sway to become the sole hegemonic power in Germany.
The Myra Necropolis in Lycia. Photo: JN 10.5.2016. In front: Dynastic issues. Kuprilli. Stater, 470-440, Aperlai / Apollonia or Zagaba. From Künker auction 402 (14/15 March 2024), No. 66.

The History and Coinage of Lycia

With its clear blue water, picturesque beaches and a fascinating landscape, Lycia has won over the hearts of many people. On the occasion of Künker’s sale of the Sayar Collection, Johannes Nollé explores the history of this region on Turkey’s southern coast.
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