Entries by Ursula Kampmann

Human Faces Part 13: Nero’s Only Diplomatic Success

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at Nero and the closing of the gates of the Temple of Janus.

Human Faces Part 11: The Ides of March

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at Caesar’s self-portrayal as the most powerful man in Rome.

Human Faces Part 10: In the Face of the Enemy

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.

Egypt and Alexandria. A brief numismatic survey: part IV

Join us on our trip through the history of Egypt and its capital Alexandria by its coinage. This episode is about Caracalla’s bloody visit to Alexandria and the turbulent 3rd century when Alexandria became a divided city.

Egypt and Alexandria. A brief numismatic survey: part III

Join us on our trip through the history of Egypt and its capital Alexandria by its coinage. Today we will have a look at the coins of Antoninus Pius with their astrological-astronomical background and the following time which was a difficult one for Alexandria.

Egypt and Alexandria. A brief numismatic survey: part I

Join us on our trip through the history of Egypt and its capital Alexandria by its coinage. Today you will learn how the Ptolemies managed to get rich thanks to their coins, and how the Jews figured into it.

The history of Chinese coinage 3 – China invents paper money

Quite rightly, China prides itself of its long history, impressively evidenced by the Chinese monetary tradition that took a different route than our western one. The third episode is about the invention of the paper money and the introduction of a coinage following the western model.

The People of Zurich and their Money 7: The “Robbery” of the Church Silver

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. There was tension in the air in the autumn of 1526: The reformed Zurich had just expropriated the church on its territory.
Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of “making of” – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to underscore and illustrate this conversation.

The People of Zurich and their Money 8: a technology from Zurich captures the world

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. Hans Vogler was involved in the promotion of a machine that was to revolutionize minting – but he gained no profit out of it.
Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of ‘making of’ – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to underscore and illustrate this conversation.