Archive: People and Markets

The British Museum first opened its doors in 1759. Over 250 year later there are still hundreds of thousands of objects not properly documented. Image: Ham via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.

British Museum Sets Out Plans to Digitize Fully the Collection

After the disappearance of thousands of objects, the British Museum aims to document all of their over 2 million objects within the next five years and make them available online. Mark Jones on why he wants to increase access to the objects now.

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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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The Coin Hoard of Merishausen

From 15 March to 19 October 2025, the Museum zu Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is mounting a special exhibition on the coin hoard of Merishausen, presenting the results of research on this interesting ensemble to the public.

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The Second Sofia Numismatic School

Students who wish to deepen their knowledge of ancient numismatics can now apply for the Sofia Numismatic School. It will take place in September 2025 at the Archaeological Research Base of the Roman Colony of Deultum (near Burgas).

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.

Berlin and South Africa – A Time-Honoured Connection

Did you know that the first coins of the Boer Republic came from Berlin? It was quite a challenge to create the dies because the Berlin engraver Otto Schulz had no idea of Boer identity, which is why things almost went wrong…
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