Archive: People and Markets

How the Romans Made Counterfeits

Counterfeits have been around in ancient Roman times, too – usually, they were cast from a copper-tin alloy. Researchers at the University of Tübingen examined the counterfeiting process and reconstructed it experimentally. A video documents their experiment.

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Image: Croatian Mint.

Black Lizard: The Second Issue of the Autochthonous Croatia Series

If you want to witness how Darwin’s natural selection works, there is no need to travel to the Galápagos Islands. The lizards on Croatian islands are just as diverse as Galápagos tortoises. The Croatian Mint has dedicated its latest issue of the Autochthonous Croatia series to a very special lizard species.

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Data Breach During Sale of 2-Euro Coin in Cyprus: How to Avoid Server Crashes

Cyprus wanted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its EU membership with a 2-euro coin – but the party turned into a fiasco. Even before the start of sales, the server crashed; at times, customers could see the data of other buyers, and to this day, it is unclear whether the central bank will make another attempt to sell the coins.

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NGC Grading Coins On-site in Munich in November 2024

NGC will once again offer its popular on-site grading service of pre-1965 coins and medals at its office in Munich, Germany, from November 11-16, 2024.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Obverse of: Ousanas I, circa 325-345. Chrysos. Leu Auction 14 (2023), lot 279.

An Introduction to Axumite Coinage

With the collection of Dr. Stephan Coffman, a highly significant ensemble of coins from the great ancient African kingdom of Axum is sold at Leu Numismatik. Learn more about the history of Axum and the often disregarded Axumite Coinage in this detailed article.
Railway tunnel under Surami pass near the village Tsipa, Chkherimela valley, Georgia 2014. Image: Karel61 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. In front: Silver medal commemorating the opening of the Suram Tunnel in 1890 by L. Steinman. Künker auction 408, No. 234.

For Railroad Fans: The Suram Tunnel

Railroad history is linked to numismatics in many ways. Fascinating large-scale projects were often celebrated with medals and commemorative coins. Our example takes us to Georgia: A medal that will be offered for auction by Künker commemorates the opening of the Suram Tunnel.
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