Archive: People and Markets

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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Das Objekt der Begierde: Die 2-Euro-Gedenkmünze zum 500. Jahrestag des Vertrages von Burgos. Foto: Musee des Timbres et des Monnaies.

A Coveted 2-Euro Coin: Monaco Introduces Penalty Fee for Multiple Orders

The Principality’s commemorative coins are among the most expensive and sought-after collectibles in the eurozone – but they have also attracted speculators for years. The sales office is now taking drastic measures.

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Poetic Machines: Swissmint Honors Jean Tinguely

Steel, wheels, movement, order and chaos – Swiss artist Jean Tinguely was fascinated by the poetry of machines, which he captured in his kinetic machine sculptures. To mark what would have been his 100th birthday, Swissmint is honoring the exceptional artist with a silver coin.

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Nur eine dieser Münzen ist echt. Erkennen Sie, bei welcher es sich um eine von der Spanischen Nationalpolizei sichergestellten Fälschung handelt? Die Antwort: Die linke Münze ist die Fälschung: Foto: Policía Nacional via X.

Counterfeiters of Hundreds of Thousands of Euro Coins Arrested

A large-scale counterfeiting workshop has been raided in Spain. The culprits put half a million fake 2-euro coins in circulation throughout Europe. Read on to find out how the perpetrators evaded the police for years and how you can identify the counterfeits.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.
Horace Vernet, Barrikadenkampf in der Rue Soufflot, Paris, 25. Juni 1848 (Juniaufstand).

French History in Coins – Part 2: From the Second Republic to the Second Empire

In the 19th century, people in France suffered from hunger and poverty. There were uprisings and a revolution. But the first president of the new republic was a nephew of Napoleon and completely took after the old emperor.
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