Roman Shipwreck Found in the Adriatic Sea
Off the Croatian coast, underwater archaeologists have discovered a large shipwreck from Roman times. It is remarkably well preserved and lies just below sea level. Coins showed them the way.
Anselmo Banduri: Researcher on the Coinage of Late Antiquity
In 1702, the Benedictine monk Anselmo Banduri published a monumental work on the coinage of late antiquity. His work has been fundamental for further research. Now a specimen is being offered at an auction of Münzen & Medaillen GmbH.
Human Faces Part 20: An Ancient Power Woman
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 looks at a woman of exceptional strength in her day.
Emperors bearing Gifts
June 9, 2017, Münzen und Medaillen GmbH will auction off the Markus Weder collection at Weil am Rhein featuring some extremely rare miliarense. Claire Franklin will tell us the story of these coins.
Maxentius, fighter for Rome
The year 307 was one of the most eventful in the history of the tetrarchy. A golden medallion, offered by Hess-Divo at auction 334, refers to this history. On it, Maxentius is being celebrated as defender of Rome.
A donative of Constantine the Great
This impressive piece belongs to a small series of silver medallions celebrating the vicennalia of Constantine II, the eldest surviving son of Constantine the Great, in 336.
Helena, the First Christian Pilgrim
Inspired by a visit of the church of Santa Croce. David Hendin recalls to us the story of Helena, mother of Constantine, a “rags to riches” story, which ends with the first Christian pilgrim establishing the tradition of pilgrimage to the Holy Land and bringing to Rome pieces of the True Cross…
Magnus Maximus or the Last Romans in Britain
Around 400 AD the Roman Empire was shaken to the core. Britain’s governor claimed himself Roman Emperor, but found his only long-lasting success in the Welsh mythology.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 1…
A Struggle for Rome
During the auction week from October 8th-12th, Künker will be putting a rare solidus of Theodoric the Great up for auction. The piece, minted in Rome in the name of Emperor Anastasius I, presents a good opportunity to retell the history behind the coin.
Human Faces Part 17: Who Should Pay?
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 the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
