Archive: People and Markets
Smithsonian Acquires Largest Collection of Charleston Slave Badges
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently acquired what is thought to be the largest and most complete set of Charleston Slave Badges. A new website informs about the historical significance of these badges.
Wolfgang Steguweit Receives the Federal Cross of Merit
The renowned numismatist Wolfgang Steguweit has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The German President has thus honoured Steguweit’s cultural achievements – and not only in the field of numismatics.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Gold at Record Highs: Melt Down or Preserve Historic Gold Coins?
Gold is now more expensive than ever. This trend has put many collectors and dealers in a moral dilemma: Which gold coins can be sold or melted down without hesitation, and where do the real treasures lie?

Joachimsthal and the Reformation
On 29 January 2025, Künker will auction a series of valuable Renaissance medals. They feature biblical topics and were minted in the region of Joachimsthal to spread the teachings of the Reformation. Johannes Mathesius, the author of Luther’s Table Talk, may have been at the origin of some of the motifs.
PMG Now Grading Banknotes Year-round in Munich
The introduction of full-time PMG grading services in Munich, initially available for the Bulk and Modern tiers, marks a new expansion of the company’s services for the paper money collecting community in Europe.
PMG Grading On-site in Munich and at MIF Maastricht in Spring 2024
Collectors and dealers will soon be able to submit banknotes to PMG again for the popular for on-site grading – either at the Munich office in April or at the PMG booth at the MIF show in May 2024. More details here.