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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Dunkle Wolken über dem British Museum? Eine solche Belagerungsklippe aus Newark wurde bei einer Hands-On Führung gegen eine Replik ausgetauscht. Das hier abgebildete Exemplar liegt im Münzkabinett Berlin und ist von 1646. Objektnummer 18268995, Aufnahme durch Christian Stoess. Hintergrund: hulkiokantabak via Pixabay.

The British Museum: When Theft Becomes PR

Once again, the BM made negative headlines: Ilé Sartuzi stole a coin unnoticed during a hands-on tour and declared this an artistic performance. A commentary by Ursula Kampmann.

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The exhibit Freedom Will Be Ours: Medals and Money in Black America, presented at the Washington University’s Olin Library. Photo: Leonard Augsburger.

Washington University Presents Seven Numismatic Exhibits

Washington University’s Olin Library announces seven numismatic exhibits that are now open to the public and will run through July 7, 2024. The library features such exhibits on a rotating basis, with recent installations covering the history of play money, World War II internment camp issues, and other subjects. In addition to exhibits, the library’s numismatic mission includes the administration of the Newman Numismatic Portal.

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Left: Humphrey Paget (1893-1974) Bust of Edward VIII for gold pattern for £5, £2 and sovereign, 1937, Royal Mint Museum. Right: Hugh Cecil (1889–1974) Profile photograph of Edward VIII, 1936, The Royal Mint Museum.

Money Talks – Art, Society & Power

A new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford aims to explore the intricate and often humorous relationship between art, money, and society. Meet Nero, Edward VIII, Warhol, Banksy and many more.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

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.

The Suffering of Leiden – A Siege During the Dutch Revolt

The third part of the Beuth Collection that Künker offers in Auction 420 contains many historically interesting emergency and siege coins. They were issued by the Dutch towns besieged by Spain during the 80 Years' War. One of these towns was Leiden, which to this day commemorates the end of the siege every year with a festival.
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