Archive: People and Markets

Crowds of visitors at the Sberatel. Photo: BS.

Sberatel: The Place to Meet Czech Collectors

On 8 and 9 September 2023, the Sberatel took place in Prague. It calls itself the largest coin show in Central and Eastern Europe – and this is no exaggeration. Ursula Kampmann was there.

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Friedrich Popken (*16 February 1940 in Hameln, †27 July 2024 in Rastede) was awardee of the Lower Saxony Order of Merit.

Friedrich Popken (1940-2024)

On 27 July 2024, Friedrich Popken passed away at the age of 84. As well as being a well-known entrepreneur, he was also a highly esteemed coin collector who supported and promoted many numismatic projects. An obituary by Fritz Rudolf Künker.

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Die Basilika von Aquileia gehört zum UNESCO Weltkulturerbe Foto: KW

Aquileia: A Centre of the Late Roman Empire

Under the Tetrarchs, Rome lost its position as the main residence of the emperor. Other sites with a more favourable strategic location took over this role. One of them was Aquileia. Those who visit the city today will find traces of Roman civilisation everywhere. Join Ursula Kampmann on her numismatic discovery tour!

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All the seven coins that were purchased by the National Museum of Denmark. Photo: National Museum of Denmark.

National Museum of Denmark Acquires Seven Coins of the Bruun Collection

The National Museum of Denmark used its right of first refusal to buy extremely rare coins from Lars Emil Bruun’s collection before they are to be sold at auction. Here you can see the seven extraordinary pieces!

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.

Münster, Osnabrück, Passau and the Counts of Lamberg

Münster, Osnabrück and Passau: How are these places related to the Counts of Lamberg? We use coins from Künker’s auction 424 to illustrate how noble families in the Holy Roman Empire climbed the social ladder in early modern times, and explain the reasons for and the consequences of such ascents.
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