Tag Archive for: History

“Sing, Muse, of the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles…”

You believe that Paris abducted Helena? Which was why the Greek destroyed Troy? What if it was completely different? The later Trojans in Roman Imperial Times adhered to an entirely different version of the story – and so they celebrated their hero Hector on their coins.

The People of Zurich and their Money 1: The Celts’ First Contact with Greek Money

Our series ‘The People of Zurich and their Money’ takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. In this first chapter, we’ll be eavesdropping on a conversation from the 3rd century BC between a Celtic farmer and his wife. Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of ‘making of’ – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to help underscore and illustrate this conversation.

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.

Gold from Goldkronach

For centuries the mines of Goldkronach were extremely profitable. But then their abundance ebbed away. The Bavarian Kings were not willing to accept that and planned huge investments. A coin will tell you, what happened then.

Human Faces Part 12: Augustus, Peacemaking Emperor or Mass Murderer?

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 Augustus and his new image following the Civil War.

Human faces, part 32: Murder in Milan

After the brutal murder of the Duke of Milan, only one question is on the mind of Milan’s aristocracy: who will follow in his office? The seven-year-old son? Quite surprisingly, the succession is settled peacefully. Peaceful, but not uneventful, thanks to the dowager duchess…

Expeditions into the realm of numismatics Part 2: Hercules in the backyard and a Paduan Hercules medal

In our series “Expeditions into the realm of numismatics”, we are taking you along on an expedition to the treasures of the Basel Coin Cabinet. In the second part, the mystery of a Hercules medal with a particularly high relief often attributed to the Paduan medallist Giovanni da Calvino will be solved.

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.