Livonian Order. Gotthard Kettler, 1559-1561.
2 1/2 Ducats n. d., mint probably Riga.
Extremely rare.
Almost extremely fine.


Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
Sovereign n. d., (1584-1586), London.
Very rare.
Slightly bent, almost extremely fine.


Mustafa III, 1757-1774.
2 Zeri Mahbub 1757/1758 (= 1171 AH), Misr (Kairo)
Ziynet pattern.
Very rare.
Holed, almost extremely fine.


Carlos III, 1759-1788.
8 Escudos 1764, NR-JV,
Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino (Bogota).
NGC AU58.
Rare. Extremely fine.


Bankportugalöser in the weight of 10 Ducats 1689,
by J. Reteke, on the major European banking cities of
Amsterdam, Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Venice.
NGC MS63 PL. Very rare.
Extremely fine-uncirculated.


Penny 1919.
Copper-nickel pattern of the “Kookaburra Penny”
by C. D. Richardson for Stokes & Sons. Extremely rare.
PCGS SP 61.
Tiny edge faults, extremely fine.


Vereenigde Amsterdamsche Compagnie.
1/2 Daalder in the weight of 4 Reales 1601, Dordrecht.
Extremely rare. Fine patina,
very fine-extremely fine.


5 Gulden type 1846.
Highest rarity (RRRR).
PMG Choice Very Fine 35.


Archive: People and Markets
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić: The Woman Who Gave Croatia Its Fairy Tales
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić is one of the authors that every Croatian is familiar with because they grew up listening to her fairy tales. Now the Croatian National Bank is issuing two collector coins to commemorate the 150th birthday of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić.
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.
Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Münster, Osnabrück, Passau and the Counts of Lamberg
Münster, Osnabrück and Passau: How are these places related to the Counts of Lamberg? We use coins from Künker’s auction 424 to illustrate how noble families in the Holy Roman Empire climbed the social ladder in early modern times, and explain the reasons for and the consequences of such ascents.

Carl Theodor in Bavaria: The Old Nobility Takes Up a New Role
In the context of Künker’s phaleristic sale at the end of October, the Osnabrück auction house will present orders from the estate of Carl Theodor Duke in Bavaria. Carl Theodor is one of the most interesting figures of Bavarian history. In contrast to his famous sister Sisi, he managed to live a fulfilled and self-determined life – as an eye specialist.
How Two Fraudsters Almost Changed England’s History
Two English metal detectorists attempted to sell off some illegally excavated coins. In a police operation straight out of a movie, the pair were caught and have now been sentenced. The seized coins present England’s King Alfred the Great in a totally different light.
An Interview With Martin Hirsch
Martin Hirsch is the new Director of the Bavarian State Coin Collection. We talk with him about the exhibitions he has planned, the process of digitising the collection and why collecting is about much more than just ownership.