Archive: People and Markets

Vatican Plans a Comeback: New Online Shop Launches in July

This move has nothing to do with the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV but has been in preparation for months: Starting in July 2025, the Vatican will resume sales of its philatelic and numismatic products.

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Gunnar Dumke. Photo: Gunnar Dumke / City of Winterthur.

New Director of the Winterthur Coin Cabinet Appointed

Gunnar Dumke will be the new director of Winterthur Coin Cabinet. The ancient historian and archaeologist will succeed Benedikt Zäch, who is retiring after thirty years at this position.

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The representative of Guinness World Records hands over the certificate for the world’s smallest coin to Robert Blaic, CEO of the Croatian Mint. Photo: Croatian Mint.

The World’s Smallest Coin

Now it is official: Croatia’s 1-kuna coin dedicated to the town of Hum holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s smallest coin!

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One of the coins seized during the police’s Operation Fantail. (Courtesy of Durham Constabulary.) Next to it, a passage from the biography of Alfred the Great written by Asser. The coin presents the prominent 9th-century ruler in a whole new light.

How Two Fraudsters Almost Changed England’s History

Two English metal detectorists attempted to sell off some illegally excavated coins. In a police operation straight out of a movie, the pair were caught and have now been sentenced. The seized coins present England’s King Alfred the Great in a totally different light.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

At the end of third century AD, Carausius and Allectus successively ruled Britain, and parts of the Continental coast, as rebel emperors for a period of ten years. A new book, published by Spink Books, aims to tell the incredible story of these two rebel emperors. Learn more about them and their rich coinage in this article.

Rebel Emperors of Britannia: Carausius and Allectus

At the end of the third century AD, Carausius and Allectus successively ruled Britain, and parts of the Continental coast, as rebel emperors for a period of ten years. A new book, published by Spink Books, aims to tell the incredible story of these two rebel emperors. Learn more about them and their rich coinage in this article.
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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