Livonian Order. Gotthard Kettler, 1559-1561.
2 1/2 Ducats n. d., mint probably Riga.
Extremely rare.
Almost extremely fine.


Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
Sovereign n. d., (1584-1586), London.
Very rare.
Slightly bent, almost extremely fine.


Mustafa III, 1757-1774.
2 Zeri Mahbub 1757/1758 (= 1171 AH), Misr (Kairo)
Ziynet pattern.
Very rare.
Holed, almost extremely fine.


Carlos III, 1759-1788.
8 Escudos 1764, NR-JV,
Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino (Bogota).
NGC AU58.
Rare. Extremely fine.


Bankportugalöser in the weight of 10 Ducats 1689,
by J. Reteke, on the major European banking cities of
Amsterdam, Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Venice.
NGC MS63 PL. Very rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.


Penny 1919.
Copper-nickel pattern of the “Kookaburra Penny”
by C. D. Richardson for Stokes & Sons. Extremely rare.
PCGS SP 61.
Tiny edge faults, extremely fine.


Vereenigde Amsterdamsche Compagnie.
1/2 Daalder in the weight of 4 Reales 1601, Dordrecht.
Extremely rare. Fine patina,
very fine-extremely fine.


5 Gulden type 1846.
Highest rarity (RRRR).
PMG Choice Very Fine 35.


Archive: People and Markets
Minerva Magazine Ceased Publishing
The archaeological journal Minerva, founded in 1990, will discontinue its service with its last issue in July/August 2023. The reason for this, it says, are the lingering effects of the pandemic and increased costs. The last issue can be downloaded for free.
Two Robberies in Two Days – French Museums Targeted by Criminals
Last week, two museums in France were robbed. The museums were helpless in the face of the criminals’ ruthless brutality. Is it even possible to protect our cultural heritage in this day and age?
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

100 Yuan Lion Dance 1995: One of the Rarest Chinese Coins of Our Age
From 13 to 15 May 2024, Heidelberger Münzhandlung will hold its 88th auction sale. Among the highlights are some of the rarest contemporary issues from China, including the 100-yuan Lion Dance coin of 1995. 1,000 specimens should have been minted – but in the end, only 138 were produced.

Farewell to the Penny: (No) Impact on Numismatics?
The United States Mint is ending production of the one-cent coin – triggering a rush on 2025 penny rolls. But one expert urges collectors to stay calm.
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.
CIT’s new Smartminting® 4.0: Iron Knight
With Iron Knight, CIT has taken the ultra-high relief to the next level: thanks to smartminting® 4.0, an unprecedented relief of 9 mm can now be achieved. This is 50% more than what was possible with the prior version of smartminting®.