Archive: People and Markets

Giant’s Causeway: A Natural Wonder at Risk – Because of Coins?

One of Britain’s most iconic natural landmarks is under threat – because tourists are decorating the famous basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway with coins. What may seem like a well-meaning gesture is now causing increasing damage to the geologically unique rock formation.

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A comic figure on a 2-euro coin? Slovenia honours caricaturist Miki Muster. Photo: Banka Slovenije

2-Euro Ticker: New 2-Euro Coins in June 2024

Much has happened in the 2-euro coin world in the past four weeks: new motifs for 2024 were announced and four coins were issued – however, there were some problems.

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Florida Recognises Gold and Silver as Legal Tender

A new step in the monetary policy of US states: the “Sunshine State” will soon allow certain precious metal coins to be used in everyday transactions. However, this alternative form of currency must meet specific requirements in order to qualify.

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Al was mentor to many young people in numismatics. Image provided by Stephen Album Rare Coins.

Dr. Albert J. Beck (1935-2024)

Dr. Albert (“Al”) J. Beck passed on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Our friends from Stephen Album Rare Coins shared this obituary for their colleague with us.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Maria Theresa and Her Persecution of Jews

On 18 December 1744, Maria Theresa adopted a decree that expelled 40,000 Bohemian Jews from their homeland. A medal testifies to the fact that she had to revoke the decree due to financial and diplomatic pressure. The time of Jewish persecution was over for the time being – that is, until the genocide of the Jews in the 20th century.

Berlin and South Africa – A Time-Honoured Connection

Did you know that the first coins of the Boer Republic came from Berlin? It was quite a challenge to create the dies because the Berlin engraver Otto Schulz had no idea of Boer identity, which is why things almost went wrong…
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