Archive: People and Markets

Photo: Sebastian Wieschowski

German Collector Coins – Where Are the Collectors?

Every few months, Germany’s latest collector coins can be bought at face value at the counters of the Bundesbank. Sebastian Wieschowski has been on site as a collector and roving reporter for many years. He wonders: why do fewer and fewer coin enthusiasts want to be there when new additions to their own collections are being released?

Read more

200 Years of the Bohemian Savings Bank: A Piece of Monetary History in Coin Form

In 2025, the Czech National Bank will issue a silver commemorative coin with a nominal value of 200 koruna. The coin marks the founding of the Bohemian Savings Bank.

Read more
This 5-pound gold bar recovered from the famous Atocha shipwreck sunk in 1622 is up for auction on May 7 in Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC’s Treasure Auction 35. Painting in the background: „Atocha Meets Her Fate,” by Ralph Curnow (2009), from: Sedwick Treasure Auction #6 (2009), lot 1969.

Gold Bar from Famous Shipwreck Comes Under the Hammer

In 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha sank off the coast of Key West along with all the treasures on board. Sedwick is now auctioning off one of the largest gold bars ever recovered.

Read more
Peter Ilisch (1947–2023). Photo: Verein der Münzfreunde für Westfalen und Nachbargebiete e. V., Axel Obdenbusch.

Peter Ilisch (1947–2023)

Peter Ilisch passed away on 29 May 2023. The former curator in Münster specialised in medieval and early modern Westphalia. As an obituary, we publish the speech of Stefan Kötz, who paid tribute to his predecessor in office at the funeral service.

Read more

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

On 29 October 1888, the Russian imperial train derailed near the village of Borki. 23 people lost their lives. The tsar’s family survived. A medal commemorates the event. It will be offered by the Künker auction house on 1 February 2024.

The Borki Train Disaster

On 29 October 1888, the Russian imperial train derailed near the village of Borki. 23 people lost their lives. The tsar’s family survived. A medal commemorates the event. It will be offered by the Künker auction house on 1 February 2024.
Background: Doktent via Wikicommons / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Regensburg: Where the Emperor and the Empire Met

Only a few German cities issued as magnificent early modern coins as Regensburg. And there is a good reason for this – gold and heavy silver coins in particular were in high demand in this city. Not for trading purposes but for representation. After all, the Perpetual Diet of the Holy Roman Empire sat in Regensburg. Read here how it worked and what role coins played in this event.
Search Search