Archive: People and Markets
How the Romans Made Counterfeits
Counterfeits have been around in ancient Roman times, too – usually, they were cast from a copper-tin alloy. Researchers at the University of Tübingen examined the counterfeiting process and reconstructed it experimentally. A video documents their experiment.
Celebrating Wolfgang Hahn’s 80th Birthday
There are numismatists who are an integral part of the numismatic world. One of them is Wolfgang Hahn, who shaped the fate of the Department of Numismatics and Monetary History in Vienna from 1990 to 2010. On 12 March 2025, he celebrated his 80th birthday.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Sisi and Franz: Commemorating the Dream Wedding that Was Actually a Nightmare
As part of the phaleristic auction 415 on 28 October 2024, Künker will be auctioning the set of gold medals that Emperor Franz Joseph presented to his father-in-law, Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria. It is the numismatic souvenir of a wedding that turned out to be a nightmare for his daughter – young Elisabeth, who is better known as Sissi or Sisi today.

Maximilian: The Last Knight and / or a Bankrupt
On 3 July 2025, Künker will auction the Hermann Wohnlich Collection presenting coins and medals from Tyrol. The offer includes an impressive ensemble of representative coins of Maximilian I, which are an excellent testament to his ability to cultivate his image. The effects of this can still be felt today.















The End of Pobjoy Mint: An Interview with Taya Pobjoy
On 31 December 2023, Pobjoy Mint discontinued their operations. This marked the end of an era. In this interview, Taya Pobjoy explains why she decided to close down the mint and why she did not want to sell the company including her brand.
Leu Numismatik Sponsors the New Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer Fellowship in Winterthur
Leu Numismatik is supporting the new Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer Fellowship at the Coin Cabinet in Winterthur, which will be awarded for the first time in 2025. The fellowship, endowed with CHF 3,000, is aimed at early-career researchers working on a numismatic project. Application deadline: June 30, 2025.