Hesse, Elizabeth and the Reformation

The story of how much influence St. Elizabeth had even centuries after her death is quite a spectacular one to tell. With the help of the Loos Collection, which will be on sale at Künker in September, we will do just that: talking of a canonized landgravine, political intrigues, power-conscious women and the consequences of syphilis.

Portugalesers: A Close Look at Brandenburg’s Gold Showpieces

Brandenburg’s portugalesers are among the greatest gold rarities of the Holy Roman Empire. Künker is able to offer as much as two of these rare pieces in auction 369. We take a close look at what these coins can tell us.

An Unwilling Victor: Maurice of Saxony and the Schmalkaldic League

On 20 June 2022, the auction house Künker will be auctioning the first part of the Dr. Walter Kemlein Collection “Saxonia in Nummis”. It includes a double taler depicting the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League, among them Maurice of Saxony, who would have preferred not to be seen in this context.

Who Was Frederick the Wise?

We all think we know him: Frederick the Wise who hid Luther at Wartburg Castle to protect him from imperial reprisals. As part of the Köhlmoos Collection, Künker will offer some coins featuring his portrait on 26 January 2022 that help us look beyond the myth.

Joachim I: The Power-Conscious Elector Who Minted the First Brandenburg Taler

We are back in 1521: Luther stands in Worms and can do no other and the elector of Brandenburg mints the first talers of Brandenburg history. 500 years after it was minted, Künker offers one specimen of the extremely rare talers. We tell its story.

Caught Between all Stools: Simon V of Lippe

From 22 to 26 June 2020, the Summer Auction Sales 337-338 take place in Osnabrück. In this article, we will introduce you to one of the pieces from the upcoming auctions: a guldengroschen of 1528, minted on behalf of Simon V of Lippe, who had just become count.

Johann Adolf of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf and His Portugalesers

Originally, later-born son Johann Adolf was supposed to become Bishop of Bremen and Lübeck, but when his two brothers died, he had to fight for the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein. Minting portugalesers was part of the diplomatic game. Künker will offer three of these rare portugalesers in their upcoming auction.

Collector, Maecenas, Patient – The Tragic Life of Rudolf II. Part 3: The Collector

As a result of the Turkish war, Rudolf saw his God-given omnipotence tarnished. Thus, the melancholy emperor sought refuge in his art collection, for which he always had money. However, this didn’t help him against his ambitious brother Matthias.

Collector, Maecenas, Patient – The Tragic Life of Rudolf II. Part 2: The Emperor

On his coins, Rudolf II displayed the high aspirations he had for his reign. However, day-to-day business was though and then war broke out against the Turks. And medals played a crucial role in it.

Collector, Maecenas, Patient – The Tragic Life of Rudolf II. Part 1: The Young Man

Rudolf II went down in history as an unworldly emperor hiding in the witches’ kitchens of alchemists. His brothers stole his imperial crown while he was still alive. Justly? Unjustly? Let’s try to answer this question.