Berlin and South Africa – an Ancient Connection
In 1892 a joke did the rounds in South Africa. Finally the newly minted coins had been put into circulation. They depicted the …
Entries by Ursula Kampmann
Bullion coins part 7: The ducat
Ducats were officially disestablished in Austria in 1858. However you can still buy 1 ducats and 4 ducats for investment purposes at the Austrian Mint, which all bear the date 1915. And in a few minutes you will know why.
Krugerrand – South Africa’s Best-known Export Article
On July 3, 1967 the South African Mint in Pretoria issued the first Krugerrand coins. A new concept was at the bottom of this: These coins could be used as circulation money; however, they did not bear a nominal value…
Bullion coins part 1: The Krugerrand
Gold has always been an alternative for investors. And since 1967, one can not only invest in bullion, but also in bullion coins. The South Africans ought to feel like the inventors of the gold bullion coin. They have been minting the Krugerrand since 1967.
The Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Austria – 1 Cent – Mozart
Mozart is a brand, just like Coca Cola, Mercedes or Apple. With his name, everything can easily be sold: the Getreidegasse (Grain Lane) in Salzburg, the real Mozartkugeln (Mozart ball) and the country of Austria that depicts on his coins a composer who, strictly speaking isn’t of Austrian descent.
The Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Austria – 2 Euros – Bertha von Suttner
The euro coins are a splendid means for all countries in the eurozone to convey their own self-conception. Bertha von Suttner was at the forefront of a peace movement that considered in the early 20th century that all future wars could be prevented. Thus, she is a worthy protagonist for the Austrian euro coins.
A visit at the Joanneum
The Joanneum is the oldest and second largest museum in Austria, whose founding statute contains the obligation to collect domestic coins. Ursula Kampmann has paid the museum a visit.
Creator of the Paduans: Giovanni da Cavino
Giovanni da Cavino was an exceptionally gifted artist and an honoured businessman when he imitated the first Roman coins. As ‘Paduans’, they were destined to achieve world fame later on. He provided the high society with what it looked for and earned good money with it. In those days, nobody would have dreamt co call him a forger…
Let’s be merciful and hang them: The Catherine Heyland case
In March 1788, a police unit of the Westminster community stormed a locked room in London. They had been tipped off that two people committed a crime in that house that was forbidden under penalty of death: false coining…
The House of Hohenems and its bishops
2. Wolf Dietrich of Raitenau
In 1558, Helena, the sister of Cardinal and Bishop of Constance Marcus Sitticus of Hohenems, married Hans Werner III of Raitenau. On March 26th, 1559, at the Hofen Castle near Bregenz, she presented …
