Archive: People and Markets

Famous Dacian Helmet Stolen – Thieves Blasted Their Way Into the Museum

On the night of 24 to 25 January, a museum in Assen, Netherlands, was targeted by thieves. They stole four important Dacian gold objects from a temporary exhibition – including the famous Coțofenești helmet. Do we have to worry about it being melted down as well?

Celebrating Wolfgang Hahn’s 80th Birthday

There are numismatists who are an integral part of the numismatic world. One of them is Wolfgang Hahn, who shaped the fate of the Department of Numismatics and Monetary History in Vienna from 1990 to 2010. On 12 March 2025, he celebrated his 80th birthday.

The Black Lizard from Brusnik Island in Ultra-High Relief

Croatia is home to a lizard species that would have impressed even Darvin himself: the autochthonous black lizard, found only on the island of Brusnik. On 14 March 2024, Croatia issued three collector coins in its honour. Now the fourth, a two-ounce silver version in ultra-high relief, has been released.

Roberto Delzanno: Medaljer Konstnärer. Medaillen und ihre Künstler. Medals and their artists. 1st edition, 2022. Hardcover, 421 p. 21x30 cm, color throughout. ISBN 9789163994708. Price: 650 kr.

Medaljer Konstnärer – Medaillen und ihre Künstler – Medals and Their Artists

Roberto Delzanno presents his publication on five important Swedish medalists. The book of over 400 pages features texts in Swedish, German and English, as it aims to introduce Swedish medal art to the broader international collector community.

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

The Gnadenpfennig – An Object Between Decoration, Medal, and Coin

Gnadenpfennigs are an extremely rare category of numismatic objects. Künker is proud to offer nine lots in auction 418 on 29 January 2025 that are, or are likely to be, gnadenpfennigs. We explain the purpose of these issues and when they were created.
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.
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