Archive: People and Markets

This Panticapaeum stater was minted in the 4th century on the Crimea and was sold by auction house NAC in May 2023 for 5,390,000 CHF. Image courtesy of Numismatica Ars Classica.

Panticapaeum Stater Most Expensive Ancient Coin

A gold stater from the city of Panticapaeum is currently the most expensive ancient coin ever sold at auction. In May 2023, it was sold by Numismatica Ars Classica in Switzerland for the record sum of 5,390,000 CHF or ca. $6 million.

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The coin hoard, pot and lid. Credit: Gareth Beale.

Coin Hoard Gives Fascinating Insight Into Life Before the Glencoe Massacre

Hidden underneath a stone fireplace of a house in Glencoe, Scotland, a pot with silver coins was recently discovered. They were minted in the years shortly before the infamous Glencoe massacre of 1692. Was the person who buried these coins among the victims of the treacherous clan slaughter in the Highlands?

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Will the Online Platform “Discord” Become the Coin Club of the Future?

Young collectors are embracing technology from the world of computer games to pursue their hobby. Thousands of coin enthusiasts discuss, trade and compete on gaming servers – and from time to time they meet in European capitals to hunt for rarities.

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2023 Was a Record Year for Archaeological Finds in the UK

The British Museum has launched the latest Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Annual Report, showing a record high of 74,506 finds recorded by the public in 2023. See some of the highlights here.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

The Heidelberg Tun and Early Modern Winemaking

The most well-known symbol of the city of Heidelberg actually began as a sort of treasury: the Heidelberg Tun was built to accommodate the Palatinate’s tax revenue generated from winemaking. And then a Calvinist propagandist turned it into a tourist attraction. This is reflected in a medal that Künker will be auctioning on 29 September 2023.

From Taler to Mark: The Long Road to a Common Currency

As Germany gradually evolved into a nation-state in the 19th century, the many currencies that circulated in its territories were also unified step by step. Coins from the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Künker’s auction 388 illustrate the long path from the taler to the mark.
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