Archive: People and Markets

Professor Rory Naismith holding a Byzantine silver coin in the Fitzwilliam Museum. Photo: Adam Page.

Where Did Silver Come from in Early Medieval Europe?

In the mid-7th century, a veritable silver coin boom set off in the North Sea Region. So far, the question of where the silver for the coins came from was up for speculation. A new study provides concrete results.

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Further Thefts at Royal Coin Cabinet Brought to Trial

The systematic thefts at the Royal Coin Cabinet in Stockholm were not committed by one single person. Another employee helped himself to some objects. At present, prosecutors are trying to prove the man stole coins worth more than 3.8 million Swedish kronor, including a Russian family ruble which sold for 510,000 SEK in 2009.

Possible Motifs Selected for Future Euro Banknotes

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has agreed on potential motifs for future Euro banknotes.

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“Rich Man, Poor Man: Art, Class, and Commerce in a Late Medieval Town”. Photo by Bruce Schwarz Courtesy of The Met.

Rich and Poor in Early Tudor England

The Met Cloisters takes you into a merchant’s house in 16th-century England. Why did a rich man exhibit images of the poor? Intriguing objects tell us about tastes and self-expression. And you can expect coins to be there too!

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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.

Maximilian: The Last Knight and / or a Bankrupt

On 3 July 2025, Künker will auction the Hermann Wohnlich Collection presenting coins and medals from Tyrol. The offer includes an impressive ensemble of representative coins of Maximilian I, which are an excellent testament to his ability to cultivate his image. The effects of this can still be felt today.
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