Archive: People and Markets

Stack’s Bowers Galleries Professional Numismatist Program

If you have ever considered making your hobby your profession and aren’t older than 25 years, the Stack’s Bowers Professional Numismatist Program offers an opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to be successful in this field.

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German Coins in 2026: Two New Series and a Familiar Face

The Federal Ministry of Finance has published the coin programme for 2026. Collectors can look forward to a total of twelve coin issues covering a wide thematic spectrum.

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Certified Collectibles Group Opens Office in Dubai

The Certified Collectibles Group has opened an office in Dubai. Collectors and dealers in the Middle East now have easier access to expert authentication, grading and encapsulation services provided by NGC, PMG, CGC and JSA.

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Kurz vor der Eröffnung warteten bereits zahlreiche Sammler, Händler und Interessierte. Foto: Sebastian Wieschowski.

A Visit to the MIF International Money Fair

Not too long ago, the MIF International Money Fair was a banknote collector’s best kept secret. Today this banknote fair is a compulsory event on the calendar for dealers and collectors alike! Sebastian Wieschowski was there as Maastricht once again claims the title as the world’s Banknote trading capital – thanks to the MIF.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Karl Ludwig von Bruck, the mastermind behind the Vienna Coinage Treaty. We chose not to depict Emperor Franz Josef I at this point, who is shown on the coins, but the liberal politician Karl Ludwig von Bruck. Born into the family of a bookbinder in Elberfeld (now Wuppertal, Germany), he worked his way up from a merchant’s position to become Austria’s finance minister. He could almost be described as a beacon of hope for Austrian economic policy. It was tragic – and not just for him personally – that Franz Josef “ungraciously” dismissed him in April 1860 on false suspicions. The then 61-year-old took his own life. This deprived Austria of an imaginative politician who might have prevented its economic marginalization by Prussia.

A War Fought with Unusual Weapons: How Prussia Used Finance and Politics to Force the Habsburg Hereditary Lands Out of the German Confederation

On 26 March 2024, the Künker auction house will offer the Tursky Collection with coins of Emperor Franz Joseph I. We use specimens from this collection to tell the story of how Prussia used its economic sway to become the sole hegemonic power in Germany.
Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.
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