Lalique and numismatics

Lalique is one of the world’s most famous Art Nouveau artists. Did you know that he also created a medal in honour of his patron, the actress Sarah Bernhardt? She was a great admirer of Lalique.
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3 Minutes of Numismatics: Antimony, Borneo and the White Rajahs of Sarawak

Anyone who wants to understand the 19th century must study its economic history. It was profit that tempted adventurers from across the Western world to build a life for themselves in exotic countries, as the white rajahs of Sarawak did.
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3 minutes of numismatics: The first coin minted in Cologne!?

The new RIC has completely disrupted the coinage of Postumus. This gives a new meaning to an Antoninianus from 268 AD, which was certainly minted in Cologne: it is now one of the first coins ever minted in Cologne.
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Etruscan Vetulonia and its coins

Vetulonia no longer shows signs of its former importance. Yet the blacksmiths of the Mediterranean world valued the iron from Vetulonia. Even though the city’s wealth has not produced finds as impressive as those in Cerveteri or Tarquinia, it is still worth a visit.
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The bridge over the Menai Strait on the Telford Prize medal

Since 1826, the first suspension bridge in history has spanned the Menai Strait, connecting the island of Anglesey with the Welsh mainland. This pioneering feat of engineering is commemorated by the Telford Medal, which is still awarded today by the Institution of Civil Engineers for outstanding achievements.
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A medal commemorates the Krakow Constitution of 1833

Prussia, Austria, and Russia divided Poland among themselves. But Poland did not disappear. Polish nationalists rose up in repeated uprisings to reclaim their land. This had dire consequences for the population, as evidenced by a medal awarded to the victors.
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The First World War, Australia and its kookaburra penny

During the Battle of Gallipoli, 8,709 Australians were killed and 17,924 were wounded. This was an enormous loss of life – at least in relative terms! Around one in every 50 Australians of military age was affected. After the war, Australia therefore demanded a new role in the Commonwealth. A coin that will be auctioned at Künker on 8 October 2025 commemorates this event.
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A double Louis d’or from 1640/1

In 1640, a new coin minting technique became popular in France. Jean Varin introduced the balancier. However, the coin smiths at the old Paris mint resisted this change, as this coin shows.
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Münster, Osnabrück, Passau and the Counts of Lamberg

Münster, Osnabrück and Passau: How are these places related to the Counts of Lamberg? We use coins from Künker’s auction 424 to illustrate how noble families in the Holy Roman Empire climbed the social ladder in early modern times, and explain the reasons for and the consequences of such ascents.

In Search of the Big Five

The Big Five – they are the stars on South Africa’s commemorative coins. We visit the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, and leopard in their most famous reserve, the Kruger National Park. Let’s see how many of the iconic five we can capture (with the camera).