Archive: People and Markets

Image: Croatian Mint.

Black Lizard: The Second Issue of the Autochthonous Croatia Series

If you want to witness how Darwin’s natural selection works, there is no need to travel to the Galápagos Islands. The lizards on Croatian islands are just as diverse as Galápagos tortoises. The Croatian Mint has dedicated its latest issue of the Autochthonous Croatia series to a very special lizard species.

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The obverse of the “Most excellent work” in ICDC 2022: “Good morning, Ukraine” by Nataliia Fandikova (Ukraine).

These Are The Winners of the International Coin Design Competition 2022

Japan Mint annually awards the best works received for the International Coin Design Competition. This year the war against Ukraine is topic of the most excellent work.

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Archaeological State Collection Munich: The room “Stories”. Credit: Daniel Stauch.

Archaeological State Collection in Munich Reopened

After eight years of renovation, the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection shines in new splendor. Since April 17, 2024, the doors are once again open to visitors from all over the world. The new exhibition rooms were planned and designed by Atelier Brückner.

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A Greek gold necklace with horned lion heads on each end. No, this object has not disappeared, but it is listed by the British Museum as „similar to those that are missing.“ Photo: Trustees of the British Museum

Can the British Museum Recover Their Lost Items?

Around 2,000 un-inventoried objects from the Greek-Roman collection of the British Museum were stolen. The museum recently announced the deployment of a task force and recovery program, but will these measures be enough to see the return of the lost objects?

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.

The Bending Willow Tree

On 29 January 2025, Künker is going to auction off a unique willow tree coin. The reverse of the 10-ducat piece depicts a willow tree in a storm. But what is the message that William V, the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel on whose behalf the coin was created, wanted to convey with this issue?
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