Archive: People and Markets

End of “Cash Only”? Germany Plans Right to Digital Payment

Cash will remain important in Germany – but digital payment options are set to become mandatory. Germany’s federal government is working on new regulations. Are they truly intended to offer consumers more convenience – or are they also about gaining more control over payment flows?

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The exhibition “The Other Side of the Coin” will be on view until July 23, 2023.

50 Years of Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection: “The Other Side of the Coin”

50 years ago the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection was created. Now, an anniversary exhibition in Athens presents 150 coins from the collection illustrating “The Other Side of the Coin”: coins as means of communication and objects of art.

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A Visit to the Japan Mint

Japan is a country where cash still plays an important role. Therefore, the Japan Mint is not a single institution but consists of several branches. Ursula Kampmann visited their offices in Saitama. Join her on a tour through the mint!

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Gilded silver plate, Iran or Afghanistan, probably Parthian or Early Sasanian, probably 2nd–3rd century. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

“Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece” at the British Museum

Over centuries the Persian empire and the Greeks had many conflicts. But nevertheless they influenced each other in many ways, as coins and works of art document. A major exhibition at the British Museum explores the relationship between luxury and power in this time.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

A map of the Duchy of Jülich-Berg by Willem and Joan Blaeu, 1645 and the reverse of the newly discovered denomination of a 6 Albus light of 1640.

A Discovery From Jülich-Berg

New coin varieties are not so uncommon, but a new denomination really is. Joachim Stollhoff has found a 6 Albus light of the Duchy of Jülich-Berg minted in 1640. The coin will be offered in the forthcoming auction of Münzen & Medaillen GmbH.

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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