Archive: People and Markets

The World’s Smallest Coin

Now it is official: Croatia’s 1-kuna coin dedicated to the town of Hum holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s smallest coin!

Numisma – Zoom Seminars of the Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies

Registration is now open to attend the upcoming zoom seminar series of the Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies (ACANS). Everyone interested in the study of ancient coins is welcome and encouraged to join the online lecture series. Find the upcoming lectures here.

Die Unterwasserarchäologen bei der Arbeit. Foto: Ufficio Stampa e Communicazione MiC

Archaeologists in Awe at the Sight of Sardinia’s Folles Hoard

Italian archaeologists are calling it one of the most important finds in recent years: up to 50,000 bronze coins dating from the 4th century have been discovered off the Sardinian coast. Apart from the outstanding size of this hoard, the coins’ condition is also astonishing.

Imperial Impressions. Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband.

Imperial Impressions – New Exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

A new temporary exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is exploring medals as a form of art and a tool of courtly representation for the House of Habsburg. The focus is also on the court medalists.

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Only 138 out of the planned 1,000 pieces were minted. This makes the Lion Dance a highly contested collector’s coin!

100 Yuan Lion Dance 1995: One of the Rarest Chinese Coins of Our Age

From 13 to 15 May 2024, Heidelberger Münzhandlung will hold its 88th auction sale. Among the highlights are some of the rarest contemporary issues from China, including the 100-yuan Lion Dance coin of 1995. 1,000 specimens should have been minted – but in the end, only 138 were produced.
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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