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

Access to Cash Becoming More Difficult: Bundesbank Sees Growing Challenges

Despite declining numbers of ATMs and bank branches, the Bundesbank currently still considers access to cash in Germany to be secure. However, in its March 2025 monthly report, it warns of clear downward trends.

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Wolfram Weiser (Johannes Heinrichs, Werner Eck (edd.)), Die Geldwährung des Römischen Reiches. Untersuchungen zu den Münzsystemen der mittleren und späten Kaiserzeit. Antiquitas I, 79. Dr. Rudolf Habelt, Bonn 2023. 247 S. 23x17 cm. 978-3-7749-4391-9. 60 EUR.

A Great Numismatist’s Important Book Published Posthumously

About a year after Wolfram Weisers death, his book on the currency of the Roman Empire has been published. Prof. Johannes Nollé has taken a closer look at this important German study.

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The new commemorative coins pay tribute to the Rhone Glacier in the canton of Valais.

The Rhone Glacier Concludes the Swiss Glaciers Trilogy

With its new “Rhone glacier” coin, Swissmint pays tribute to the approximately 10-kilometer-long ice field that has been a popular tourist attraction in Switzerland since the 19th century. This coin marks the end of the “Swiss Glaciers” series.

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Andrea Mayr, Die Medaillen und Schaumünzen der Kaiser und Könige aus dem Haus Habsburg im Münzkabinett des Kunsthistorischen Museums Wien. Band XI: Ferdinand I. (1793–1875, reg. 1835–1848) (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Münzkabinett, Kataloge der Medaillensammlung, 3). Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien 2023. 2 Bände, 552 Seiten, farbige Abbildungen. Hardcover, 29,7x21cm. ISBN: 978-3-7001-9314-2. 175 Euro.

The Medals and Representative Coins of Emperor Ferdinand I

Andrea Mayr has presented another part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. In 2023, her two-volume work on the medals and representative coins of Ferdinand I was published. It is much more than a usual catalogue. Ursula Kampmann took a look at it.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

25 Francs in Gold: Swissmint’s New Gold Coin

Since 2022, Swissmint has been issuing 25-franc gold coins. The latest release is a tribute to the history of Swiss gold coinage, combining elements of the first 20-franc piece and the enigmatic 1955 issue, which never entered circulation. And Swissmint also has some interesting plans for the future, as Ursula Kampmann discovered.
Image detail from “The last viaduct before entering the Trieste railway station”, image: SLUB Dresden. Public Domain Mark 1.0. PPN 337170053. In front: Double vereinstaler 1857. From Auction Künker 308, No. 471.

A Commemorative Coin Celebrating the Completion of Austria’s Southern Railway

Commemorative coins were issued far less frequently in the 19th century than today. The fact that Emperor Franz Joseph dedicated a commemorative coin to the Austrian Southern Railway is therefore testimony to the outstanding importance of this line. In auction 408, Künker is offering two of only 1,644 specimens minted.
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