Archive: People and Markets

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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In diesem Gebäude in Helsinki befand sich die ursprüngliche finnische Münzstätte seit 1864. 1988 zog die Produktion in eine moderne Anlage in Vantaa um. Doch bald werden auch dort die Maschinen stillstehen. Foto: I99pema via Wikicommons / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The End of Mint of Finland

Mint of Finland will close its doors in the spring of 2025. The Board of Directors of Mint of Finland announced this decision on 28 August 2024. Ursula Kampmann sums up the situation.

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The National Archaeological Museum of Athens would be affected by the planned change in law. Alongside other major museums, it is to become more autonomous but, in turn, will be largely on its own when it comes to its finances. The bill of the Minister of Culture and archaeologist Lina Mendoni is being hotly debated. Photo: Erik Drost / CC BY 2.0

Greek Museums Between Commercialisation and Modernisation

Five of Greece’s most important museums are to become more autonomous and operate independently of state funding. A bill of the Greek government to this effect has been hotly debated and led to strikes.

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Ulrich Werz 2014 in Cyprus. Photo: Claire Franklin.

Ulrich Werz (1964-2023)

The numismatist Ulrich Werz died on June 14, 2023. He was known for his work on coin finds and his studies on Roman countermarks. Claire Franklin remembers him.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

What Do Gaming Counters Have to Do with Numismatics?

On 5 July 2025, Künker will offer a complete set of trictrac pieces at its auction 425. The ensemble is of great cultural and historical value. This prompts us to ask why gaming counters are part of the numismatic field – and what insights they can offer into the numismatic daily life of the early modern period.
Gaius Iulius Vindex. Denar, zwischen März und Mai 68, Vienne(?). Äußerst selten. Vorzüglich. Taxe: 1.500 Euro. Aus Auktion Heidelberger Münzhandlung 89 (12. November 2024), Nr. 113. Hintergrund: Büste Neros, im Kapitolnischen Museum in Rom (cjh1452000 - CC BY-SA 3.0) und Büste Galbas im Stockholmer Schloss (Wolfgang Sauber / CC BY-SA 3.0).

The Roman Civil War of 68/9: The Prelude to the Year of the Four Emperors

Heidelberger Münzhandlung will offer a series of coins of impeccable quality struck during the Roman Civil War at its auction on 12 and 13 November 2024. We take advantage of this opportunity to examine the historical background of these issues, going back to a time when counter-emperors did not (yet) dare to put their portrait on coins.
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