Estimated price: CHF 4.000,00Greek coins, Punic Sicily, Tetradrachme, circa 320-310 BC.
Conditon: Stunning specimen, EF.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
8
Estimated price: CHF 4.000,00Greek, Sicily, Leontinoi. Tetradrachme. circa 430-425 BC.
Condition: Superb extremely fine.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
11
Estimated price: CHF 1.500,00Roman Republic, Cornelius Lentulus. Denarius. 100 BC.
Condition: Gorgeous example, near mint state.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
74
Estimated price: CHF 2.000,00Roman Republic, Bellum Sociale. Denarius. ca 90 BC.
Condition: Very rare. Good very fine.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
78
Estimated price: CHF 5.000,00Roman Imperatorial. Julius Caesar. Denarius. 44 BC.
Condition: Great portrait, near EF/VF.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
142
Estimated price: CHF 6.000,00Roman Empire, Domitian. Aureus. Struck 82 AD.
Condition: Rare. Good Portrait. Good very fine.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
186
Estimated price: CHF 2.500,00Roman Empire, Plotina. Denarius, 112-114 AD.
Condition: Very rare. Good very fine.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
195
Estimated price: CHF 3.500,00Switzerland, Solothurn. 4 Franken. 1813.
Very rare in this magnificent condition.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
352
Estimated price: CHF 2.500,00Transylvania, Johann II Sigismund.
Uniface Necessity Thaler. 1565. Condition: good vf
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
363
Estimated price: CHF 3.500,00Switzerland, Solothurn. 4 Franken. 1813.
Very rare in this magnificent condition.
Auction 1 - An exquisite selection of premium coins
from ancient to modern times
352

Articles of the week

The impressive collection was untouched for over 100 years.

Highlights from the Bruun Collection

Stacks will sell the about 20.000 coins of the Bruun Collection in various auctions. The first sale features 300 Scandinavian rarities with an estimated value of 10 million US dollars. Learn more about two of the highlights: a Danish gold noble and a Norwegian Speciedaler dated to 1661 depicting the fortress of Akershus.

The courtyard of the Alcazár of Seville was immortalised on a 2024 2-euro coin from Spain. Photo: Real Casa de la Moneda (coin), javarman3 / Getty Images Pro via Canva Pro

The Secret of the Success of State Quarters, UNESCO Coins and Federal State Series

25 years ago, the United States of America started a new chapter in numismatic history. Their State Quarters became the model for many other successful coin programs – including Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage Site series.

Christian IV. 4 Speciedaler 1624, Kopenhagen. From Auction Künker 408 (18.-19. June 2024), No. 14. Background: Christian IV of Denmark and Norway. Bust at Rosenborg Castle / Copenhagen. Photo: UK.

400 Years Ago – The Founding of Kongsberg

On 2 May 1624, Christian IV of Denmark and Norway founded the mining town of Kongsberg. A series of coins to be offered in the upcoming Künker sale tells us of the hopes that the ruler placed in the silver from these mines.

Railway tunnel under Surami pass near the village Tsipa, Chkherimela valley, Georgia 2014. Image: Karel61 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. In front: Silver medal commemorating the opening of the Suram Tunnel in 1890 by L. Steinman. Künker auction 408, No. 234.

For Railroad Fans: The Suram Tunnel

Railroad history is linked to numismatics in many ways. Fascinating large-scale projects were often celebrated with medals and commemorative coins. Our example takes us to Georgia: A medal that will be offered for auction by Künker commemorates the opening of the Suram Tunnel.

Image detail from “The last viaduct before entering the Trieste railway station”, image: SLUB Dresden. Public Domain Mark 1.0. PPN 337170053. In front: Double vereinstaler 1857. From Auction Künker 308, No. 471.

A Commemorative Coin Celebrating the Completion of Austria’s Southern Railway

Commemorative coins were issued far less frequently in the 19th century than today. The fact that Emperor Franz Joseph dedicated a commemorative coin to the Austrian Southern Railway is therefore testimony to the outstanding importance of this line. In auction 408, Künker is offering two of only 1,644 specimens minted.

A postcard of the 1906 Olympic Games. In front: Gilded silver medal for a winner of the 1906 Olympic Games. From Künker auction 408 (18-19 May 2024), No. 122.

The Olympic Games That Are No Longer Recognized

In 1906, the IOC and the country of Greece invited athletes from all over the world to the Olympic Games in Athens. The Games had a lasting impact on the ceremonies surrounding the sporting showdown, even though the IOC no longer recognizes these Olympics today. A winner’s medal from the Games will be auctioned by Künker on 18 June 2024.

The wedding of Archduke Charles and Zita in 1911. On the left the wedding couple, on the right, 81-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph, whom Charles will succeed as emperor in 1916.

Charles I of Austria-Hungary: A Hapless Emperor Who Was Beatified

In the context of its Summer Auction Sales, Künker will offer the only gold coin of the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor that is available on the market. Johannes Nollé tells the story of this coin and its commissioner, who died in Madeira aged only 35.

Background: Kremnica. Photo: Lukkon / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The First Years of Czechoslovak Coinage

SINCONA will auction off an impressive collection of Czechoslovak patterns. The offer includes a pattern for the Wenceslas Ducat of which only two specimens exist. Moreover, the sale features the very specimen of the Wenceslas Ducat that President Mazaryk gave to the family of the murdered Finance Minister Rašín.

Only 138 out of the planned 1,000 pieces were minted. This makes the Lion Dance a highly contested collector’s coin!

100 Yuan Lion Dance 1995: One of the Rarest Chinese Coins of Our Age

From 13 to 15 May 2024, Heidelberger Münzhandlung will hold its 88th auction sale. Among the highlights are some of the rarest contemporary issues from China, including the 100-yuan Lion Dance coin of 1995. 1,000 specimens should have been minted – but in the end, only 138 were produced.

The fortress on the rock – not just a popular tourist destination, but also the most expensive 2 euro commemorative coin in the world. Collage: Canva / Wieschowski.

A Numismatic Journey Through the Principality of Monaco

On the visit of Albert II and Charlène of Monaco to Germany: The small country on the Mediterranean has more to offer than casinos, car races and film stars – it can look back on a long numismatic tradition.