Entries by Björn Schöpe

“Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece” at the British Museum

Over centuries the Persian empire and the Greeks had many conflicts. But nevertheless they influenced each other in many ways, as coins and works of art document. A major exhibition at the British Museum explores the relationship between luxury and power in this time.

Toward the Present: Elizabeth II

Since 1952 Queen Elizabeth II is reigning Great Britain. In 2012 she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee looking back on a period that has changed her country profoundly.
By examining 12 coins we have strolled through Great Britain’s history – this is the last part…

Harold Harefoot or the Vikings in England

Cnut the Great had formed an enormous kingdom uniting Denmark, Norvegia and England. But after his death his sons Harthacnut and “Harold Harefoot” clashed with each other. And England became their bone of contention.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 2…

Queen of an Empire: Victoria

Under Victoria I Britain’s Empire embraced the whole world. But the Queen drew back from policy and let the politicians govern the country. That system should never change any more. By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 11.

A German on the British Throne: George I

To bar the Catholic Stuarts from the throne of England Queen Anne designated a German to become her successor: George I. But nevertheless he was a Protestant, the English were not satisfied with their new monarch.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 10.

A Glorious Revolution

Besides the fear of having no king at all the English feared always the scenario of a Catholic king. In 1688 dread of becoming re-Catholicised led the aristocrats to call a Protestant from the Netherlands to be their new king.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 9.

Henry VIII – the Man Who Had Six Wives

Henry VIII is renowned for his many wifes. Behind these marriages was his endeavour to unite love and a secure dynasty. On behalf of this goal he even broke with the Pope and the church.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 6.

A fresh interpretation of the Portland Vase as depiction of the first wedding on earth

An ancient cameo vase has recently appeared on the market. It does not only captivate by its beauty. It resembles another famous object, the Portland Vase whose interpretation had been controversially debated for a long time. But a closer look at the “new finding” permits a deeper understanding of the Portland Vase as well.

Henry VII – Founder of the Tudor Dynasty

In the mid-15th century two aristocratic houses divided England deeply fighting the so-called War of the Roses. Henry VII overcame this situation by a marriage founding a new, stable dynasty: the Tudors.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 5.

Edward III – the Hundred Years War

In 1337 Eduard III, King of England was the only surviving grandson of the French King Philipp IV. Due to this reason Eduard laid claim on the French throne. And he made his claim visible to everybody issuing a new coin, the noble.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 4.