Archive: People and Markets

Die Unterwasserarchäologen bei der Arbeit. Foto: Ufficio Stampa e Communicazione MiC

Archaeologists in Awe at the Sight of Sardinia’s Folles Hoard

Italian archaeologists are calling it one of the most important finds in recent years: up to 50,000 bronze coins dating from the 4th century have been discovered off the Sardinian coast. Apart from the outstanding size of this hoard, the coins’ condition is also astonishing.

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Caribbean Guilder: Joint Currency Introduced for Curaçao and Sint Maarten

The new currency replaces the Antillean Guilder, retains its value, and is pegged to the US dollar – with fresh designs inspired by the sea and local culture.

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The first flying coin is presented in a high-quality box.

Space Premiere – Mint of Poland Created the World’s First Flying Coin

The Mint of Poland presented the UFO MP-1766 at the World Money Fair 2024, which is said to be the first flying coin in the World. The coin is lifted by an internal motor and, upon interaction with a specially designed base, it levitates due to the magnetic field generated between them.

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Die Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (in der Mitte) ist das höchste Gebäude in Harare. Foto: Baynham Goredema aus Johannesburg, Südafrika / CC BY 2.0

Zimbabwe’s New Currency: Is the ZiG Doomed to Fail From the Start?

Zimbabwe has introduced a new currency that is supposed to win the trust of Zimbabweans as it is backed by gold. Michael Alexander explains the background and presents the new banknotes.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

In Search of the Big Five

The Big Five – they are the stars on South Africa's commemorative coins. We visit the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, and leopard in their most famous reserve, the Kruger National Park. Let's see how many of the iconic five we can capture (with the camera).

Joachimsthal and the Reformation

On 29 January 2025, Künker will auction a series of valuable Renaissance medals. They feature biblical topics and were minted in the region of Joachimsthal to spread the teachings of the Reformation. Johannes Mathesius, the author of Luther’s Table Talk, may have been at the origin of some of the motifs.
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