Archive: People and Markets

The British Museum suffered what was probably the largest theft in its history and a scandal that shook the institution to its core. Photo: hurk / Pixabay.

Red Alert at the British Museum

Thousands of objects have disappeared from the British Museum – allegedly stolen by a senior curator. The matter was uncovered by an antiquities dealer, whose warnings fell on deaf ears. The museum’s director has stepped down, and this seems to be merely the tip of the iceberg.

Read more
Late antique bronze fragments are often interpreted as scrap or recycled material. Image: Universität Bonn.

Conference Report: Coining Values: Bronze between Money and Scrap

A conference in Bonn recently dealt with archaeological bronze finds on the outer borders of the Roman Empire. There is a lack of clarity as to how exactly they are to be understood: were the bronze pieces stashes of value or just waste metal rendered useless? Claire Franklin Werz reports.

Read more
Mithilfe modernster Prägetechnik wird das Rheintal mit einem beeindruckenden Relief dargestellt.

100 Years Swiss Franc in the Principality of Liechtenstein

In 2023, CIT caused a sensation among collectors around the world with its Grand Canyon issue. The same state-of-the-art minting technology is now being applied to a depiction of the Rhine Valley. The occasion: one of the rare commemorative coin issues of Liechtenstein.

Read more
Oesterreichische Nationalbank (publisher): In God We Trust. Divine Money. Catalogue for the special exhibition in the money museum of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. Self-published, Vienna 2023. 88 pp, colour illustrations, softcover, 24.5 x 19.5 cm.

In God We Trust

In God we trust. Do we still trust in God? In recent years, there has been much debate on whether coins and banknotes should continue to refer to divine powers. The Austrian National Bank dedicated an exhibition to the question of why money is so closely linked to religion. Ursula Kampmann takes a look at the catalogue.

Read more

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Coloured Metal from Austria: Niobium Coins

In 2003, the Austrian Mint introduced a new metal with exciting characteristics to the world of coins: niobium. The beginning of a success story.

Coin-Embedded Tableware as Part of European Dining Culture

In European castles and treasure chambers, we often come across magnificent coin-embedded vessels. These items represent wealth and knowledge. Although their roots can be traced back to the Renaissance, it was not until the bourgeoisie of the 19th century that they came into their own.
Search Search