Tag Archive for: Nations

A numismatic relic of the Miracle of Bern

On November 22, 2011, the auction house Rapp in Wil will auction off a numismatic relic of one remarkable event in the history of sports. On July 4, 1954 Lászlo Budai and the legendary “Mighty Magyars” won “only” silver…

Swiss gold coins for 25 and 50 francs – chapter 2: from circulation coin to coveted rarity and then to melting

Since 1955, the Swiss mint was striking coins on a large scale – and did not issue them after all. However, a small part of them became a wanted collectible. The rest was melted down. Read here, how it happened.

Introduction ‘The People of Zurich and their Money’ Part 2

Our occasional series ‘The People of Zurich and their Money’ will present one exciting chapter of Swiss numismatics and economic history at a time. The introduction provides an initial overview in two parts. This second section takes us from the Thirty Years War all the way to the present day.

The Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Spain – 1, 2 and 5 Cent – Santiago de Compostela

The euro coins are a splendid means for all countries in the eurozone to convey their own self-conception. What does the pilgrimage to St. James mean to Spain? And what role did the Way of St. James play for European Christians of medieval times? Here you get the backdrop of the design of the Spanish 1, 2 and 5 cent coins.

The lion from the north – triumphator in life as well as in death

On March 13, sale no. 247 of Osnabrück auction house Künker offers the Baums Collection featuring historical medals. The connoisseur discovers many historically interesting, artistically enchanting medals, like a piece that was created by Sebastian Dadler on the occasion of the funeral of Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden at Riddarholm Church.

The Swedish Emergency Money of Freiherr von Görtz

Once upon a time, high in the North, there was a fairytale king – or almost, since only the beginning of his story sounds like a fairytale. Fighting all alone against overpowering enemies, Charles XII, the puerile King of Sweden, managed to …

A Nordic heavy weight: the second heaviest coin of Classical numismatics

Almost 15 kilograms, as much as 4 bricks – that is the weight of the second heaviest coin of Classical numismatics, this Swedish copper plate of 8 taler. It was issued in 1659…

The Battle of Poltava and a medal of Peter the Great

Once upon a time, there were two boozing companions hatching a plot how to deprive a juvenile of a part of his inheritance. What sounds like a perfect scenario for a Dickens novel can turn out tragic for entire peoples with the two buddies fond of tippling happen to rule Russia and Poland…

Berlin and South Africa – an Ancient Connection

In 1892 a joke did the rounds in South Africa. Finally the newly minted coins had been put into circulation. They depicted the …

Bullion coins part 1: The Krugerrand

Gold has always been an alternative for investors. And since 1967, one can not only invest in bullion, but also in bullion coins. The South Africans ought to feel like the inventors of the gold bullion coin. They have been minting the Krugerrand since 1967.