Tag Archive for: History

Between England and France – the Outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War

He was one of France’s most powerful kings, this Philip the Fair who humiliated the pope, crushed the Templars and humbled the Plantagenets. But 14 years after his death the house of the Capetians had ended. Now the question was: Who was to reign over mighty France?

Colossus Mercurio – or: Hamburg and the Privilege of the Elbe

When emperor Ferdinand II. confirmed the so-called Grand Privilege of the Elbe to the city of Hamburg during the Thirty Years’ War, the city was so glad that it ordered a magnificent medal to be made. This precious medal – one of the most beautiful, Dadler has created – will be sold at the upcoming Künker sale.

TRAIANUS – OPTIMUS PRINCEPS, DACICVS

In A. D. 107, Rome was celebrating a huge triumph. Emperor Trajan had returned from his successful campaign against the Dacians. Not only coins recall his victory but likewise a tiny emission of rare medallions one of which will be auctioned off as part of sale #224 of Gorny & Mosch to be conducted on 13 October, 2014.

Human faces, part 49: Hindenburg

Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? This episode looks at the late years of a famous military leader: Paul von Hindenburg.

Gold for the coronation

Albert M. Beck will receive a gold numismatic crowning gift for his 80th birthday on 15 April 2017. Andreas Urs Sommer introduces the only known hyperpyron from the coronation issue of Alexios I Komnenos for John II Komnenos.

The hunting prince

Why do so many Baroque coins and medals refer to hunting? This question comes to mind due to the Hirsch Nachf. sale 333 on September 21, 2017, in which the collection of a hunter (and collector) will be auctioned off. It contains a large variety of Baroque hunting scenes.

Dionysus – The God of Ecstasy

Coffee or champagne? Apollo or Dionysus? During the 19th century, Dionysus was depicted as the god of rapture, the embodiment of our subconscious. But how did the Greeks see their god? We will delve into this question by analyzing several of the coins sold in the upcoming 335th Hess Divo AG Auction, which will take place on December 6, 2018.

Ainos – A Commercial Center in Thrace

Ainos, today called Enez and located on the border of the Aegean Sea in the European part of Turkey, didn’t have any important resources. As far as we know, there also didn’t exist any remarkable industry. Ainos reached incredible wealth during the 5th century B.C. despite these facts.

Olympia and the Eleans – The introduction of the cult of Hera

For us Olympia seems to be equivalent to the peaceful contest of all nations. In referring to ancient tradition we forget entirely that …

Coins in the fountain well: Trevi Fountain in Rome

Do you know actually, who invented the fashion to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome in order to return to the Eternal City? If you do not, you will find the answer within this article…