Tag Archive for: Nations

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…

This is how coins with polymer ring are made: a visit to the Karlsruhe Mint

On April 14, 2016, the 5 euro coins “Planet Earth” will be released. The number of orders exceeds the mintage. For all those who came away empty-handed we have a view inside the Karlsruhe Mint where a portion of the mintage was produced.

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.

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.

40 Years Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung

Many coin collectors never forget, who was the one, who sold the very first coin to them. Perhaps you as well will remember your own collecting past, while reading the history of 40 years of Gorny & Mosch…

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.

A coin is being made – the Swiss commemorative coins celebrating the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

It takes much effort and planning until a collector can purchase his commemorative coin that will serve as a memento of an event which – like the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – will become part of the national myth.

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In October 2012 metal detectorist John Goody found a ‘new’ ancient British coin, hitherto unrecorded and unpublished.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 35: A girl gets herself a husband

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 this episode, we will witness how a confident Isabella of Castile takes her rightful place on the throne next to her husband.

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?