Archive: People and Markets
New Collector Coin by Swissmint: St. Nicholas
Christmas spirit at the Swissmint: on 27 November 2024, the latest swiss silver coin, St. Nicholas, was issued in honor of the traditional St. Nicholas processions on 6 December.
The First Ultra High Relief Coin with Partial Gilding of the Croatian Mint
On 24 January 2024, two “Trsat Dragon” collector coins were released. A new issue featuring the same motif has been added to the successful series on 14 November: the Croatian Mint presents its first coin with ultra high relief and with partial gilding.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

What Do Gaming Counters Have to Do with Numismatics?
On 5 July 2025, Künker will offer a complete set of trictrac pieces at its auction 425. The ensemble is of great cultural and historical value. This prompts us to ask why gaming counters are part of the numismatic field – and what insights they can offer into the numismatic daily life of the early modern period.

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.











Where Did Silver Come from in Early Medieval Europe?
In the mid-7th century, a veritable silver coin boom set off in the North Sea Region. So far, the question of where the silver for the coins came from was up for speculation. A new study provides concrete results.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Is the State Department funding a crusade against private ownership of cultural goods in the U.S.? Peter Tompa explains how taxpayer money was used to justify cultural property Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or “emergency import restrictions.”