Archive: People and Markets
Benin Bronzes Lawsuit Against Smithsonian
Shall all Benin bronzes be repatriated? The Restitution Study Group says no. They argue for the rights of descendants of slaves trafficked by the Benin Kingdom as you can learn from this interview by Kate Fitz Gibbon.
Swissmint as Guest of Honour at the World Money Fair
Modern coins for a modern Switzerland – that is the mission of Swissmint. As the guest of honour at the 2025 World Money Fair, Swissmint has many attractions in store for collectors and visitors. Read on to find out more.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

The Great Elector, Taxes and the Rise of Prussia
On 1 February 2024, the Künker auction house will hold its 400th auction sale. Among the 770 lots are very rare issues from the reign of Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia. They bear witness to the achievements of the Great Elector, who brought prosperity to a realm devastated by the Thirty Years’ War.

Münster, Osnabrück, Passau and the Counts of Lamberg
Münster, Osnabrück and Passau: How are these places related to the Counts of Lamberg? We use coins from Künker’s auction 424 to illustrate how noble families in the Holy Roman Empire climbed the social ladder in early modern times, and explain the reasons for and the consequences of such ascents.










Looking Forward to 2027: the Website of the International Numismatic Congress Is Online
We still have to be patient a little longer until the XVII International Numismatic Congress takes place in Frankfurt in 2027. The website is now online and provides early information about the event.
Sir Winston Churchill at 150: Highlights From the J. Eric Engstrom Medal Collection
Last November, Winston Churchill would have turned 150 years old. To mark the occasion, the Heberden Coin Room at the Ashmolean is displaying pieces from their rich collection of medals related to Churchill, most of which come from the J. Eric Engstrom Collection of Churchill Medals.