Swiss Money for Swiss Citizens

Today, only Swiss coins circulate in Switzerland. But this has only been the case for less than a century. A very rare Swiss 5 franc piece from 1928, which will be auctioned by the Rapp auction house on 6 May 2022, testifies to this shift in monetary policy.

Heavy Gold Coins – A Special Gift for Special People

Have you ever wondered why there were so many large gold coins weighing several ducats in the early modern period? We’ll show you with the help of some spectacular examples from the upcoming Numismatica Genevensis auction.

Gold, Silver, the Morgan Dollar and the Rarest Silver Crown of the Latin Monetary Union

On 16 November 2021, Numismatica Genevensis will be auctioning a very important rarity: 5 francs, 1886 – the rarest silver crown of the Latin Monetary Union. Produced around the same time as the Morgan dollar, its rareness also shares the same economic and historical background: the overproduction of silver in the American town of Virginia City, Nevada.

Prussian Switzerland

For more than a century, Prussian kings ruled over the Swiss Principality of Neuchâtel. By means of coins from the Axel Tesmer Collection, which will be on sale on 28 and 29 September 2021 at Künker in Osnabrück, this article explains how that came about and which coins commemorate this period.

The Last Years in the Life of Jacques-Antoine Dassier

On 28th January 2021, a Künker auction presents a 10-ruble piece from 1757 whose die was created by the Genevan medalist Jacques-Antoine Dassier. But this is not the only special thing about it: A small collector’s hallmark proves it once belonged to the Hutten-Czapski collection.

The Gold Coinage of Zurich

On 9 October, 2014, Künker will offer a large series of Swiss gold coins for sale. This is a good opportunity to have a closer look at the gold coinage of Zurich.

The People of Zurich and their Money 3: At the Market in Zurich

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. In this instalment, you’ll get to read a dialogue between a buyer from out of town who’s trying to pay for his purchases in the year 1335. Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of ‘making of’ – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to help underscore and illustrate this conversation.

The People of Zurich and their Money 5: The Soldier’s Wages of Pavia

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. This time it’s the year 1512 and we’re standing in the chamber of the Abbess of the Fraumünster Abbey. She is hiding a mercenary leader who’s on the run. Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of ‘making of’ – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to help underscore and illustrate its context.

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.