Archive: People and Markets
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Is the State Department funding a crusade against private ownership of cultural goods in the U.S.? Peter Tompa explains how taxpayer money was used to justify cultural property Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or “emergency import restrictions.”
Correction: We made a mistake!
The news we published yesterday about the Coin of the Year Award was erroneous.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.

The Birth of the Krugerrand
The South African Krugerrand is the world’s oldest bullion coin. When it was first minted in 1967, the concept of producing a coin that matched the weight of an investment unit – one ounce – was both new and innovative. Learn more about the economic background and the meaning of its design here.











INORCOAT: How to Make Minting More Sustainable
Are you annoyed by all the laws that make our lives more difficult but have no positive effect? Here’s an example of a law that actually makes sense: the planned ban on chromium (VI) electroplating is helping an innovative technology to make a breakthrough – and this development brings decisive advantages for the minting industry. Romain Waidelich of INORCOAT takes us behind the scenes.
End of “Cash Only”? Germany Plans Right to Digital Payment
Cash will remain important in Germany – but digital payment options are set to become mandatory. Germany’s federal government is working on new regulations. Are they truly intended to offer consumers more convenience – or are they also about gaining more control over payment flows?