Archive: People and Markets

The South African Mint: Africa’s Largest Mint

At the end of my trip to South Africa, I have the unique opportunity to visit the South African Mint. I’m taking you along on my visit, and that’s something very special: normally, taking photos inside the South African Mint isn’t permitted!

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2024 Huntington Award Presented to William E. Metcalf

At the 167th Annual Meeting of the American Numismatic Society, the Archer M. Huntington Award was presented to Dr. William E. Metcalf, honoring his tremendous contributions to Roman and Byzantine numismatics.

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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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King Charles III dedicates the first circulation coins of his reign to environmental protection. Photo: Royal Mint

A King in Your Wallet: Pound Coins Featuring Charles III Enter Circulation

Almost two years after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her successor, King Charles III, is gradually arriving in the wallets of the British – and new faces will also be appearing in change in Denmark and Luxembourg.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Contemporary allegory on the Great Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg.

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.
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