Archive: People and Markets
The Fascinating World of Insects and Minting Errors: The Misaligned Stag Beetle
A year ago, the paint on coins from the “Fascinating World of Insects” series began to flake off. Now, new anomalies have surfaced—ones that experts find only partially explainable.
Lars O. Lagerqvist (1929-2023)
Lars O. Lagerqvist, former director of the Royal Coin Cabinet in Stockholm and FIDEM Honorary President, passed away. He was one of the most important Swedish numismatists and a renowned expert for medals. Marie-Astrid Voisin Pelsdonk remembers her mentor and friend.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

From Taler to Mark: The Long Road to a Common Currency
As Germany gradually evolved into a nation-state in the 19th century, the many currencies that circulated in its territories were also unified step by step. Coins from the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Künker’s auction 388 illustrate the long path from the taler to the mark.

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.











Hidden Coins Indicate the Destruction of a City
In the 4th century, the Jews revolted one last time against Roman rule. Now, for the first time, there is archaeological evidence of the destruction of the city of Lod during the suppression of the revolt – a hoard of coins recently found by Israeli archaeologists in the ruins of a building.
A Force of Nature Embodied in a Coin: CIT’s Lost City – Pompeii
CIT has captured the dramatic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 with a three-dimensional representation. True to scale, and thanks to smartminting® in every detail, we see erupting Vesuvius, pouring its lava over the buildings of the city of Pompeii.