Archive: People and Markets

“Rich Man, Poor Man: Art, Class, and Commerce in a Late Medieval Town”. Photo by Bruce Schwarz Courtesy of The Met.

Rich and Poor in Early Tudor England

The Met Cloisters takes you into a merchant’s house in 16th-century England. Why did a rich man exhibit images of the poor? Intriguing objects tell us about tastes and self-expression. And you can expect coins to be there too!

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Decline in demand: The high gold price means that only a few investors are buying physical gold coins. Collage: Canva.

Gold at Record High, Demand for Bullion Coins Collapses

While the gold price has reached new all-time highs several sessions in recent weeks and gained around 20 per cent in value in a short period of time in a steep upward trend, several mints are reporting a drastic decline in sales in the precious metal sector.

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Florida Recognises Gold and Silver as Legal Tender

A new step in the monetary policy of US states: the “Sunshine State” will soon allow certain precious metal coins to be used in everyday transactions. However, this alternative form of currency must meet specific requirements in order to qualify.

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The coin hoard, pot and lid. Credit: Gareth Beale.

Coin Hoard Gives Fascinating Insight Into Life Before the Glencoe Massacre

Hidden underneath a stone fireplace of a house in Glencoe, Scotland, a pot with silver coins was recently discovered. They were minted in the years shortly before the infamous Glencoe massacre of 1692. Was the person who buried these coins among the victims of the treacherous clan slaughter in the Highlands?

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Background: Doktent via Wikicommons / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Regensburg: Where the Emperor and the Empire Met

Only a few German cities issued as magnificent early modern coins as Regensburg. And there is a good reason for this – gold and heavy silver coins in particular were in high demand in this city. Not for trading purposes but for representation. After all, the Perpetual Diet of the Holy Roman Empire sat in Regensburg. Read here how it worked and what role coins played in this event.

What People Used to Pay With in South Africa

Coins are only the most recent of the many means of payment used in South Africa. And yet, there is much to be told about the country’s numismatic past. We tell the story of South African means of payment from glass beads to the rand.
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