154Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats
commemorating the publication of the second volume
of Alexander von Humboldt’s *Kosmos*.
NGC MS 65 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 40.000 Euro

166Prussia. Frederick William IV, 1840–1861.
Gold medal in the weight of 50 ducats commemorating
the unveiling of the equestrian statue of
Frederick the Great on Unter den Linden in Berlin in 1851.
NGC MS 63 PL.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 25.000 Euro

191Prussia. William I, 1861–1888.
General’s Medal in the weight of 120 ducats, 1871,
commemorating the victory over France.
A magnificent specimen.
From the estate of Emperor William I.Estimate: 75.000 Euro

297Russia. Nicholas I, 1825–1855. Family ruble.
1 1/2 rubles (10 zlotys), 1835, St. Petersburg.
NGC MS 64 (Top Pop).
Only 36 examples struck.
A cabinet piece from polished dies.
From the estate of King Frederick William IV.Estimate: 250.000 Euro

1098Holland. Province.
5 ducats, 1681.
Struck with the dies of a guilder.
NGC PF 64 Cameo.
Proof.Estimate: 40.000 Euro

1192HRE. Ferdinand II, 1592–1618–1637.
5 ducats, 1634, Vienna.
Extremely rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.Estimate: 10.000 Euro

1266HRE. Vienna.
Salvator Medal in the weight of 12 ducats,
n. d.(around 1840).
NGC PF 61 CAMEO.
Proof.Estimate: 15.000 Euro

1334City of Regensburg.
5 ducats, n. d. (1708–1710),
with the title of Joseph I. NGC MS 64.
Extremely rare. According to mint records,
only 7 copies struck.
A magnificent piece.Estimate: 25.000 Euro

1602German New Guinea.
10 New Guinea Marks, 1895 A.
NGC MS 65.
A magnificent piece.Estimate: 50.000 Euro

2757Saxony.
John Frederick the Magnanimous and
Maurice, 1541–1547.
Trinity Medal, 1544.
A masterpiece of German medal art. Magnificent,
excellent craftsmanship.Estimate: 75.000 Euro

Archive: People and Markets

The two new publications were financially supported by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

Two New Books on Ancient Numismatics in Poland

Book news from Poland: In the last months, two significant books on Roman numismatics were published with an English translation. Adam Degler and Kyrylo Myzgin tell us more about their works.

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Vatican Plans a Comeback: New Online Shop Launches in July

This move has nothing to do with the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV but has been in preparation for months: Starting in July 2025, the Vatican will resume sales of its philatelic and numismatic products.

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Das Vorbild für die Darstellung ist ein Ausschnitt der Darstellung des „fliegenden Menschen“ der Machinae novae von 1595. Foto: © Branimir Kralj / Kroatische Münzstätte.

Faust Vrančić: The Croatian Leonardo

Croatia issues two new collector coins as part of its “Croatian Innovators” series. They are dedicated to Faust Vrančić, a Croatian polymath whose parachute design, published in his 1595 book “Machinae novae”, is the first appearance of this device in a printed work.

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Brustplatte mit mythischem Wesen. Goldlegierung. Kolumbien, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Nahuange-Tradition). The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Schenkung von Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Okarina in Form eines sitzenden Anführers mit herausgestreckter Zunge. Keramik. Kolumbien, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Tairona-Tradition). Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Muñoz Kramer Collection, Schenkung von Camilla Chandler Frost und Stephen und Claudia Muñoz-Kramer. Landschaftsbild: © Museum Associates/LACMA.

More than Gold – Splendour and Thought in Indigenous Colombia

A new exhibition at Zurich Museum Rietberg is dedicated to the diversity of artistic production in pre-Hispanic Colombia. On display are spectacular gold objects.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Bei genauer Betrachtung können Münzen besondere Merkmale aufweisen, die sich entweder gut oder schlecht auf ihren Wert auswirken. Diese zu erkennen und mit den richtigen Begriffen benennen zu können ist wichtig für jeden Münzsammler. Achtung, Bronzepest kann ihre Sammlung zerstören! Foto: Shutterstock.

Cleaning, Patina, Verdigris etc.: Which Errors Affect the Price of a Coin? – Part 2

The price of a coin does not only depend on its rarity and quality. In the second part of our overview we will talk about wear and tear, cleaning and the consequences of environmental processes.
Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.
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