Archive: People and Markets

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.

Happy Birthday! The IADAA Turns 30

The International Association of Dealers in Ancient Art (IADAA) celebrates its 30th anniversary. James Ede, one of the founding fathers, remembers his personal experiences in the association and the antiquities trade.

The denarii of this hoard lay in the ground for 2,000 years without anyone noticing them. Photo: Franco Sammartino.

Coins from the Era of Marius and Sulla Discovered in Tuscany

In the Livorno region, a hoard of 175 Roman Republican denarii of remarkable quality was found in 2021. The existence of the treasure was kept secret until an exhibition displayed the pieces in 2023.

United States Department of State, Washington. Image: AgnosticPreachersKid via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Is the State Department funding a crusade against private ownership of cultural goods in the U.S.? Peter Tompa explains how taxpayer money was used to justify cultural property Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or “emergency import restrictions.”

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Bei genauer Betrachtung können Münzen besondere Merkmale aufweisen, die sich entweder gut oder schlecht auf ihren Wert auswirken. Diese zu erkennen und mit den richtigen Begriffen benennen zu können ist wichtig für jeden Münzsammler. 
Achtung, Bronzepest kann ihre Sammlung zerstören! Foto: Shutterstock.

Cleaning, Patina, Verdigris etc.: Which Errors Affect the Price of a Coin? – Part 2

The price of a coin does not only depend on its rarity and quality. In the second part of our overview we will talk about wear and tear, cleaning and the consequences of environmental processes.
Christian IV. 4 Speciedaler 1624, Kopenhagen. From Auction Künker 408 (18.-19. June 2024), No. 14. Background: Christian IV of Denmark and Norway. Bust at Rosenborg Castle / Copenhagen. Photo: UK.

400 Years Ago – The Founding of Kongsberg

On 2 May 1624, Christian IV of Denmark and Norway founded the mining town of Kongsberg. A series of coins to be offered in the upcoming Künker sale tells us of the hopes that the ruler placed in the silver from these mines.
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