Archive: People and Markets
Gold Bar from Famous Shipwreck Comes Under the Hammer
In 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha sank off the coast of Key West along with all the treasures on board. Sedwick is now auctioning off one of the largest gold bars ever recovered.
An Interview With Martin Hirsch
Martin Hirsch is the new Director of the Bavarian State Coin Collection. We talk with him about the exhibitions he has planned, the process of digitising the collection and why collecting is about much more than just ownership.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.

French History in Coins – Part 1: Kings, Consuls and Emperors
The French Revolution also revolutionised the country’s monetary system. Join us on our voyage through the monetary history of modern France. We will start with the First Republic and one of the most famous French coins out there.










INORCOAT: How to Make Minting More Sustainable
Are you annoyed by all the laws that make our lives more difficult but have no positive effect? Here’s an example of a law that actually makes sense: the planned ban on chromium (VI) electroplating is helping an innovative technology to make a breakthrough – and this development brings decisive advantages for the minting industry. Romain Waidelich of INORCOAT takes us behind the scenes.
Leu Numismatik Sponsors the New Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer Fellowship in Winterthur
Leu Numismatik is supporting the new Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer Fellowship at the Coin Cabinet in Winterthur, which will be awarded for the first time in 2025. The fellowship, endowed with CHF 3,000, is aimed at early-career researchers working on a numismatic project. Application deadline: June 30, 2025.