Archive: People and Markets

The British Museum suffered what was probably the largest theft in its history and a scandal that shook the institution to its core. Photo: hurk / Pixabay.

Red Alert at the British Museum

Thousands of objects have disappeared from the British Museum – allegedly stolen by a senior curator. The matter was uncovered by an antiquities dealer, whose warnings fell on deaf ears. The museum’s director has stepped down, and this seems to be merely the tip of the iceberg.

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Medieval Coin Hoard Found in the Black Forest

In Southwest Germany, a significant medieval coin hoard was recently discovered, consisting of ca. 1,600 coins from the period around 1320 AD. The coin hoard is said to be the largest one found in South Baden in 75 years.

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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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More than three years after the spectacular burglary at Dresden’s Green Vault, the Dresden Regional Court handed down a verdict on 16 May 2023. The return of part of the loot has paid off for the defendants. But many questions are still open.

Verdicts in the Dresden Jewel Heist Case

More than three years after the spectacular burglary at Dresden’s Green Vault, the Dresden Regional Court handed down a verdict on 16 May 2023. The return of part of the loot has paid off for the defendants. But many questions are still open.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Women on Commemorative Coins: A Long Road to True Equality

Every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March—and this week, numismatists also have a reason to celebrate. On 6 March, a German 20-euro coin was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the International Women’s Year. This coin marks the beginning of a new German commemorative coin series under the theme "Influential Women". But does this mean that women have finally secured their place in the world of numismatics?

Coin-Embedded Tableware as Part of European Dining Culture

In European castles and treasure chambers, we often come across magnificent coin-embedded vessels. These items represent wealth and knowledge. Although their roots can be traced back to the Renaissance, it was not until the bourgeoisie of the 19th century that they came into their own.
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