Archive: People and Markets

United States Department of State, Washington. Image: AgnosticPreachersKid via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.

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.”

Read more

Questions and Answers for Coin Collectors Regarding the Death of Pope Francis

Following five different coin series since 2002, the Vatican is set to issue new euro coins this year. When the change to a new pope on the coins will take place, and how the Sede Vacante will be commemorated numismatically, remains unclear – as does the timing for the return of the Vatican’s coin issuing office for collectors.

Read more
Die Archäologinnen Kristina Jansson und Anna Ödéen präsentieren den Münzfund. Foto: Åsa Rosén.

The Brahekyrkan Coin Hoard – A Sensational Find on Visingsö

Swedish archaeologists made a spectacular discovery on the island of Visingsö. They found 170 coins from the mid-12th century in a grave, posing a number of questions.

Read more

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?

Read more

Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Third time’s the charm? After 2015 and 2019, Germany is once again issuing a coin commemorating German Unity. Photos: Wieschowski / Background: frankpeters from Getty Images via Canva Pro

Unity Coin Sows Discord: More Than Just a Matter of Taste?

The fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification are considered, despite occasional tensions between East and West, as a defining moment in German history, a cause for celebration for many Germans – but not, it seems, within certain corners of the German coin collecting community.
20 Franken 1883: Die erste Goldmünze der Schweiz. Aus Auktion Künker eLive 54-2019-855. CoCo CH-1883-0001.

The Vreneli – A Swiss Icon

With its latest commemorative coin, Swissmint honours the last issue of the 10-franc vreneli minted 100 years ago. A prime opportunity to recall the history of this iconic Swiss gold coin.
Search Search