Archive: People and Markets

Single-figure plaque, mid-sixteenth to seventeenth century, cast copper alloy, Dallas Museum of Art. Photo: Daderot via Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain.

Benin Bronzes Lawsuit Against Smithsonian

Shall all Benin bronzes be repatriated? The Restitution Study Group says no. They argue for the rights of descendants of slaves trafficked by the Benin Kingdom as you can learn from this interview by Kate Fitz Gibbon.

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Between Tradition and the Demands of a New Economic World

The 32nd Mint Directors Conference took place in Cape Town from April 27th to 29th, 2025. It was the highlight of my numismatic journey through South Africa. In an international context, South Africa presented itself as a promising country of (numismatic) opportunities.

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The new commemorative coins pay tribute to the Rhone Glacier in the canton of Valais.

The Rhone Glacier Concludes the Swiss Glaciers Trilogy

With its new “Rhone glacier” coin, Swissmint pays tribute to the approximately 10-kilometer-long ice field that has been a popular tourist attraction in Switzerland since the 19th century. This coin marks the end of the “Swiss Glaciers” series.

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Lot #25968-87: Grabener MPU-156 HS Coining Press, 1991.

A Highly Unusual Auction: Assets From Pobjoy Mint for Sale

Following the end of Pobjoy Mint last year, an online auction will present over 200 lots with the mint’s equipment next week. The sale features coining presses, machine tools, fabrication machinery, print and packaging equipment and more.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Between Triumph and Tragedy – Maximilian II Emanuel, “The Prince of Bankrupts”

Maximilian II Emanuel of Bavaria, known as gifted general, an avid builder, and a passionate collector of art, led a turbulent life. Medals offered in Auction 18 of Leu Numismatik AG reflect both the heights and humiliations of Maximilian’s military campaigns in southern Germany.
The contents of a piggy bank from the Deutsche Mark era – a case for the Bundesbank exchange counter? Photo: Wieschowski.

Marks and Pfennigs in Your Inheritance: What Should Heirs Do with Old DM Coins?

When dealing with inheritances, it’s common for heirs to come across coins from the Deutsche Mark era –often, these Pfennigs and Marks can feel overwhelming. However, heading straight to the Bundesbank, where nearly all DM coins can be exchanged indefinitely, isn’t always the best option.
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