Archive: People and Markets

Berkshire Coin Hoard. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

2022 Biggest Year for Treasure Finds in the UK

Earlier this year, the British Museum launched the latest Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Annual Report. This showed that in 2022, over 50,000 archaeological finds were recorded, including 1,378 Treasure cases – the highest ever reported in a single year. See some of the highlights here.

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There is no evidence that proves that the illicit trade in antiquities is the third largest in the world. That is the finding of a new study by Donna Yates and Neil Brodie.

Researchers Analyse the Myth About the Massive Illicit Trade in Antiquities

An extensive new study shows that the scale of the illicit trade in antiquities is much smaller than activists claim. The study demonstrates how these false numbers came about, and how we actually should deal with the problem of the illicit trade in antiquities.

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The Heimerle + Meule Group acquires Reischauer GmbH, a company known worldwide in the coin industry.

Reischauer Becomes Part of the Heimerle + Meule Group

With the acquisition of Reischauer GmbH, the Heimerle + Meule Group is expanding its already strong position in the European precious metals market. In the previous year, Heimerle + Meule was already able to substantially enlarge its expertise in precious metal coins and medals by acquiring a majority stake in the Commonwealth Mint.

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Berta von Suttner, Astrid Lindgren, Marie Curie – three women that changed the world will be honoured with 20-euro commemorative coins from Germany in the coming years. Collage: Canva.

Outstanding Women in Silver and a Break for 5-Euro Coins: Germany’s 2025 Commemorative Coin Programme

Germany’s 2025 coin programme comprises eleven issues, combining subjects of historical importance with current socio-political topics.

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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.

The Bending Willow Tree

On 29 January 2025, Künker is going to auction off a unique willow tree coin. The reverse of the 10-ducat piece depicts a willow tree in a storm. But what is the message that William V, the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel on whose behalf the coin was created, wanted to convey with this issue?
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