Archive: People and Markets
New Exhibition at the British Museum Presents Recovered Gems
A new exhibition at the British Museum showcases some of the finest ancient gems in the museum’s collection. They include some of the pieces that were recently stolen and could be recovered thanks to the cooperation of coin dealers.
Stockholm: Lawsuit against Royal Coin Cabinet thief
In April we had to report that at least 1,200 objects worth the equivalent of 2.6 million euros had disappeared from the Stockholm Royal Coin Cabinet. A perpetrator is now standing trial. A second one is the subject of ongoing investigations.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Sisi and Franz: Commemorating the Dream Wedding that Was Actually a Nightmare
As part of the phaleristic auction 415 on 28 October 2024, Künker will be auctioning the set of gold medals that Emperor Franz Joseph presented to his father-in-law, Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria. It is the numismatic souvenir of a wedding that turned out to be a nightmare for his daughter – young Elisabeth, who is better known as Sissi or Sisi today.

The Heidelberg Tun and Early Modern Winemaking
The most well-known symbol of the city of Heidelberg actually began as a sort of treasury: the Heidelberg Tun was built to accommodate the Palatinate’s tax revenue generated from winemaking. And then a Calvinist propagandist turned it into a tourist attraction. This is reflected in a medal that Künker will be auctioning on 29 September 2023.










“The Art of Making Medals” Published
What Goes Into Making a Medal? Editor Ross Pollard has packed his new book “The Art of Making Medals” with practical, first-hand insights from contemporary artists into the fascinating world of medallic sculpture. Each chapter was contributed by a member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association and documents the creation of an original medal from start to finish.
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.