Archive: People and Markets

Provenanced Coin Finds Versus Rarities – The Importance of Coin Finds for Historical Statistics

Reporting coin finds is essential for the study of coinage. A Workshop in Jordan discussed the importance of coin finds for historical statistics and the experience of a group of Syrian archaeologists who turned to one of the most important groups of coin finders: children.

Pobjoy Mint to Close Their Doors at the End of the Year

Pobjoy Mint, an icon of Non-Circulating Legal Tender manufacturing have announced they will close their doors. This does not come as a surprise for those who know the market. Ursula Kampmann comments.

Will the Bayern Thaler Become the Long-Awaited German Bullion Coin?

The Free State of Bavaria has commissioned the Bavarian State Mint to produce a series of precious metal investment products. The “Bayern Thaler” aims to join the ranks of investment icons and is in keeping with the spirit of the times – but there are pitfalls ahead.

Ollie Croker, Project Curator Recovery Programme, and Sara Aly. Art Market Expert Recovery Programme. Photo: British Museum.

Further Recoveries of British Museum Objects

The British Museum has announced the return of a further 268 missing objects, taking the total number of recovered items to 626. The museum also confirmed that it is currently working on new leads for around 100 additional objects.

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Karl Ludwig von Bruck, the mastermind behind the Vienna Coinage Treaty. We chose not to depict Emperor Franz Josef I at this point, who is shown on the coins, but the liberal politician Karl Ludwig von Bruck. Born into the family of a bookbinder in Elberfeld (now Wuppertal, Germany), he worked his way up from a merchant’s position to become Austria’s finance minister. He could almost be described as a beacon of hope for Austrian economic policy. It was tragic – and not just for him personally – that Franz Josef “ungraciously” dismissed him in April 1860 on false suspicions. The then 61-year-old took his own life. This deprived Austria of an imaginative politician who might have prevented its economic marginalization by Prussia.

A War Fought with Unusual Weapons: How Prussia Used Finance and Politics to Force the Habsburg Hereditary Lands Out of the German Confederation

On 26 March 2024, the Künker auction house will offer the Tursky Collection with coins of Emperor Franz Joseph I. We use specimens from this collection to tell the story of how Prussia used its economic sway to become the sole hegemonic power in Germany.

Fascinating Change: The 50 State Quarters of the USA – a Milestone

By means of the 50 State Quarters, the US Mint succeeded in rekindling the people’s love of coins and bringing it to the next generation. What was so special about this series? Let’s look back.
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