Tag Archive for: History

2000-year-old Victoria Cross found

In October 2012 metal detectorist John Goody found a ‘new’ ancient British coin, hitherto unrecorded and unpublished. It is rather worn, but nonetheless intriguing because I’m unable as yet to pin it down to a particular ruler or even, with confidence, to a particular tribe.

Human faces, part 28: Fight for Sicily

Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? Find out why the Houses of Anjou and Aragón fought for Sicily and how Ferdinand of Aragón cleverly used coins for propagandistic purposes in this episode.

Human faces, part 43: The thrifty Sun King

Frugality is probably the last thing you would associate with Louis XIV. Versailles is not the only manifestation of the more than lavish lifestyle that he was so popular for. Still, this episode shows a very different side of the monarch.

The People of Zurich and their Money 14: Rich and Poor

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. This episode is about the different worlds in the year 1887. An American journalist first visited Aussersihl, a suburb of Zurich, and afterwards a businessman in his villa.

Human faces, part 29: The Doge, powerless ruler over a mighty empire

That reality and depictions of reality are two different things is a lesson we already learnt in the episode on Constantine the Great. On this coin, the image of the Doge in his pompous attire belies a reality in which he hardly holds any power anymore.

Human faces, part 45: The birth of liberty

Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? Today we will talk about the aftermath of the French Revolution and the beginning of a reign of terror …

The People of Zurich and their Money 15: Migros causes revolution in food retail sector

Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. In this episode you will listen to a Migros seller and a modern housewife talking back in 1925.

Human faces, part 30: The Hercules of Ferrara

Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? In today’s episode, we’ll tell you the story of an Italian prince who admired Hercules so much that he named his son after him.

Human faces, part 46: “When you call, my Fatherland”

Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? Get to know more about the story of Helvetia, the personification of Switzerland, in this episode.

Human Faces Part 8: A Body is Kidnapped

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? In this part of the series it is once again about Alexander the Great – at least about his body.