Tag Archive for: Germany

The Origin of the Bavarian Beer Purity Law

A regulation of the Bavarian dukes William IV and his brother Louis X is still quoted frequently today: the “Reinheitsgebot” – the beer purity law of 1516. We tell its story with the help of coins from the Special Collection Bavaria, which will be on sale on 18 March 2020 at Künker.

Holy Citizens

On 18 March 2020, Künker’s auction No. 335 offers a special collection of medieval coins containing about 150 splendid bracteates. These Romanesque works of art take us back to a time when saints were regarded as fellow citizens willing to engage actively for the well-being of the community.

A Medal Made by Dürer as the Official Gift of the City of Nuremberg for Charles V

On 9 October 2019, auction house Künker will be auctioning an object of major art-historical importance: The very Albrecht Dürer himself had been commissioned by the Nuremberg City Council to create the dies for medals that were to be officially handed to Charles V during his entry into the city in 1521.

Career goal: Saint – Bernward of Hildesheim

There are only a few bishops of the Middle Ages who minted coins whom we know as much about as Bernward of Hildesheim. There is a reason for this. The churchman, from one of Saxony’s best families, intended to be worshipped as a saint after his death.

A long bridge for the benefit of all

On 27 September, 2012, the mayor of Berlin inaugurated the new Rathaus Bridge. It is already the sixth bridge in this historic location. An extremely rare gold medal commemorates the first stone bridge that was erected at the same place. On 27 June, 2019, the item is auctioned off at Künker in Osnabrück.

Oh Lord, My God, Give Light to My Eyes

In Auction 76, Heidelberger Münzhandlung will offer an extremely rare taler of John I, Duke of Palatine-Veldenz-Zweibrücken. It was minted by a historian, coin collector and convinced Christian who converted from the Lutheran to the Reformed faith. This taler could be a record of his decision.

The first coronation of a German Emperor in Frankfurt

The coronation of Maximilian II in Frankfurt set the tone for a period of religious peace in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation: The pragmatic politician was willing to break new ground, including for his own coronation.

Graspable Testimonies – Testimonies to Piety from Another Time: Part 1

On 16 October, 2014, the Werner Jaggi Collection will be sold. It is the largest collection of numismatic testimonies on religious beliefs and customs the market has ever seen. Here you will find information, why these pieces were made and what can be seen on some interesting pieces.

The German Ministry of Finance sells unique collection of German economic history in London

The German Ministry of Finance has awarded Spink with the sale of the inventory of historic bonds from the former German Reichsbank from 1889 to 1945. The historically important documents will be going under the hammer in London on November 20, 2015.

Ottoman Imtiyaz medal awarded to German Emperor William I yields 161,000 Euros

On December 30, 1883, the Ottoman ruler drafted a decree by which he invested the German Emperor William I, his new confederate, into the Golden Order of Merit of his country, called Nishan Imtiyaz. That honor was intended to strengthen the political ties between the German Emperor and the Empire at the Bosporus River…