Archive: People and Markets

Warning Against Overpriced Coins: “Stick Figure” and “Woman on a Bull” Designs Aren’t Just Found in the Euro Zone

“Mega-rarity from your change” – sensational headlines like these frustrate coin collectors and dealers across Europe. Yet, it’s not just within the Eurozone that supposed rarities, often lacking genuine collector value, make waves.

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Das Vorbild für die Darstellung ist ein Ausschnitt der Darstellung des „fliegenden Menschen“ der Machinae novae von 1595. Foto: © Branimir Kralj / Kroatische Münzstätte.

Faust Vrančić: The Croatian Leonardo

Croatia issues two new collector coins as part of its “Croatian Innovators” series. They are dedicated to Faust Vrančić, a Croatian polymath whose parachute design, published in his 1595 book “Machinae novae”, is the first appearance of this device in a printed work.

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Further Thefts at Royal Coin Cabinet Brought to Trial

The systematic thefts at the Royal Coin Cabinet in Stockholm were not committed by one single person. Another employee helped himself to some objects. At present, prosecutors are trying to prove the man stole coins worth more than 3.8 million Swedish kronor, including a Russian family ruble which sold for 510,000 SEK in 2009.

“The Art of Making Medals” Published

What Goes Into Making a Medal? Editor Ross Pollard has packed his new book “The Art of Making Medals” with practical, first-hand insights from contemporary artists into the fascinating world of medallic sculpture. Each chapter was contributed by a member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association and documents the creation of an original medal from start to finish.

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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.

Women on Commemorative Coins: A Long Road to True Equality

Every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March—and this week, numismatists also have a reason to celebrate. On 6 March, a German 20-euro coin was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the International Women’s Year. This coin marks the beginning of a new German commemorative coin series under the theme "Influential Women". But does this mean that women have finally secured their place in the world of numismatics?
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