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.
Tag Archive for: History
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 …
Human Faces Part 17: Who Should Pay?
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
Human faces, part 33: Il Moro and Leonardo
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? As a generous patron of Leonardo da Vinci, Ludovico Sforza rightfully earned his coin portrait.
The coins of Maria Theresa
On 13 May 1717, roughly 300 years ago, Maria Theresa of Austria was born. Could there be a better reason to introduce the coins of Frederick II’s arch enemy on the basis of a few lots from the upcoming Künker sale from 27 June to 29 June 2017?
Human Faces Part 18: A Fine Specimen of an Emperor
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
Human faces, part 34: A “terrible” Pope
Why does this coin feature both the Pope and the trademark of an influential merchant family? This coin, portraying Julius II and the Fugger family business, illustrates that economy and religion always have and always will go hand in hand.
