Archive: People and Markets

Freshly unearthed silver coins – denarii of the Bohemian princes from the turn of the 11th to the 12th century. Photo: Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague.

More Than 2,000 Medieval Denarii Discovered in Czechia

It is said to be one of the most important Czech coin hoards of the last 10 years: more than 2,000 coins from the period around 1100 have been discovered near Kutná Hora. The find dates from a time of conflict between members of the Přemyslid dynasty for control of the Prague princely throne.

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United States Department of State, Washington. Image: AgnosticPreachersKid via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.

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.”

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At the centre of the indictment against Richard Beale is the provenance of the second-most expensive ancient coin in the world, an EID MAR aureus. From Roma Numismatics XX (2020), Lot 463. Hammer price: 3,240,000 pounds.

Coin Dealer Richard Beale Pleads Guilty

Richard Beale has pleaded guilty to a number of charges. At a court hearing in New York in August 2023, the British coin dealer admitted, among other things, to falsifying the provenance of an EID MAR aureus.

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At the February 1, 2022, Paris conference: Vincent Noce, far left, Henrik Hanstein, President of the Federation of European Auctioneers (back shown), Alexandre Giquello, President of the Drouot, Professor Marc-André Renold, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerruti, IADAA Chairman Vincent Geerling (with microphone) and far right with his back to the camera, Roberto Riccardi, Head of Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.

Defamatory Attack on IADAA And Its Officers – a Response

A French newspaper article claims IADAA chairman Vincent Geerling to be involved in trafficking antiquities. A close look reveals a distortion of facts – or how the journalist and the authorities simply ignored them. With consequences not only for the accused.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Obverse of: Ousanas I, circa 325-345. Chrysos. Leu Auction 14 (2023), lot 279.

An Introduction to Axumite Coinage

With the collection of Dr. Stephan Coffman, a highly significant ensemble of coins from the great ancient African kingdom of Axum is sold at Leu Numismatik. Learn more about the history of Axum and the often disregarded Axumite Coinage in this detailed article.

Maximilian: The Last Knight and / or a Bankrupt

On 3 July 2025, Künker will auction the Hermann Wohnlich Collection presenting coins and medals from Tyrol. The offer includes an impressive ensemble of representative coins of Maximilian I, which are an excellent testament to his ability to cultivate his image. The effects of this can still be felt today.
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