Articles of the week

The authentic piece from the past: the “Feierstëppler” could be found in circulation in Luxembourg for more than half a century. Photo: Wieschowski

A Coin on a Coin: Luxembourg to Resurrect the “Feierstëppler”

The Grand Duchy honours its past as a centre of the steel industry with a new 2-euro commemorative coin bearing the unwieldy title “100th anniversary of the Grand Ducal decree on the issue of the ‘Feierstëppler’”.

The Myra Necropolis in Lycia. Photo: JN 10.5.2016. In front: Dynastic issues. Kuprilli. Stater, 470-440, Aperlai / Apollonia or Zagaba. From Künker auction 402 (14/15 March 2024), No. 66.

The History and Coinage of Lycia

With its clear blue water, picturesque beaches and a fascinating landscape, Lycia has won over the hearts of many people. On the occasion of Künker’s sale of the Sayar Collection, Johannes Nollé explores the history of this region on Turkey’s southern coast.

The seals were primarily created by casting copper and consist of open form and closed form geometric and human/animal designs.

The St. Croix Collection of Baktrian Seals

Beginning with Electronic Auction 555, Classical Numismatic Group will be offering a highly important collection of Baktrian seals from the St. Croix Collection. Learn more about these fascinating objects from the Middle Bronze Age here.

Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.

Why Are There So Many Coins Depicting Saint George?

Saint George is one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. He is venerated by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians, the Druze and even Muslims. What do we know about this saint? Did he even exist? And why are there so many coins depicting him?

Contemporary allegory on the Great Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg.

The Great Elector, Taxes and the Rise of Prussia

On 1 February 2024, the Künker auction house will hold its 400th auction sale. Among the 770 lots are very rare issues from the reign of Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia. They bear witness to the achievements of the Great Elector, who brought prosperity to a realm devastated by the Thirty Years’ War.

On 29 October 1888, the Russian imperial train derailed near the village of Borki. 23 people lost their lives. The tsar’s family survived. A medal commemorates the event. It will be offered by the Künker auction house on 1 February 2024.

The Borki Train Disaster

On 29 October 1888, the Russian imperial train derailed near the village of Borki. 23 people lost their lives. The tsar’s family survived. A medal commemorates the event. It will be offered by the Künker auction house on 1 February 2024.

Euro coins from Croatia. Photo: Angela Graff

The First Error Coins from Croatia

Croatian euro coins are still quite new: the popular tourist destination introduced the currency as recently as in January 2023. By now, the first Croatian coins have long found their way into Central European wallets – and there are also some error coins among them!

Einer der Höhepunkte von Künker Auktion 395 ist eine spektakuläre Goldmedaille zu 110 Dukaten, die aus dem persönlichen Besitz von Fürst Ferdinand I. von Bulgarien stammt. Diese Medaille führt uns mitten hinein in eine Zeit, in der Bulgarien seine Wirtschaft modernisierte. Der Fürst packte dabei tatkräftig mit an. Und die Eisenbahn spielte dabei eine zentrale Rolle.

Bulgaria, Prince Ferdinand I and the Railroad

One of the highlights of Künker’s auction 395 is a spectacular gold medal with a weight of 110 ductats. It was the personal property of Prince Ferdinand I. of Bulgaria. This medal takes us back into a period when Bulgaria modernized its economy. And the railroad system played a major role in this.

For the obverse of the 2022 20-Francs commemorative coin “Mani Matter”, various patterns were created, most of which are unique. They will be offered this fall at SINCONA.

SINCONA Offers Spectacular Swissmint Patterns

In its Auction 87, SINCONA AG showcases Swissmint patterns. They are truly remarkable as they are true patterns that were not produced for collectors but are natural by-products of the coin creation process.