Freedom for Algeria – The Fate of Abd el-Kader
Standing in the middle of the Château d’Amboise garden on the Loire is a Muslim cemetery from the 19th century. Here, the followers of Algerian freedom fighter Abd el-Kader were buried with honour. What brought them to this place is a story that begs telling.
Cochin-China – an almost forgotten episode of French history
On June 22, 2011, a big collection of French coins will be auctioned off at Künker’s including a rare pattern, which was produced in Paris for the French colony Cochin-China. What’s the story behind? And where is Cochin-China located anyway?
A Numismatic Relic from the Piedmont Civil War
On November 28, 2012, a very special coin goes on the market at Numismatica Genevensis. The coin in question, estimated at 150,000 francs, is a gold coin in the value of 10 écus whose front depicts the young Prince Charles-Emanuel II of Savoy as well as the stern face of his mother. The following will provide you with a bit more detail as to the background of this rare specimen.
Elizabeth I – Ruler of the Seven Seas
The Virgin Queen she was called by her contemporaries – and she made them tremble. Elizabeth I was a key figure of the 16th century, her navy controlled the oceans, England flourished.
By examining 12 coins we are going to stroll through Great Britain’s history – this is part 7.
Christians fight against Christians with the assistance of the Turks
It is an unspectacular coin, that testimony of the culminating conflict between France and Spain, between Francis I and Charles V. ...
From Pavia to the Sack of Rome – siege coins in Italy
Why was it that Renaissance rulers went to Italy to seek good fortune? Why was it that thousands of ducats and thaler were spent on mercenary soldiers? This article gives an insight into the war between Francis I of France and Charles V of Italy...
The Order of the Golden Fleece
Countless coins from the Holy Roman Empire show something many catalogs briefly address as “neck chain” of the Order of the Golden Fleece. This article will explain, when and where this chivalric order originated and why it became the most important order of knights all over the Old World...
Bridges as a sign of the Russian-French friendship
On 1 February 2018, Künker will auction off a testimony to the French-Russian alliance of 1892 in its Berlin auction. It is a gold medal dedicated to the inauguration of the Trinity Bridge in Saint Petersburg. This bridge was built as a symbol of this alliance and it has the Pont Alexandre III in Paris as its counterpart.
Between Germany and France: A story about the fortress of Philippsburg
On June 20, 2011, Künker’s will auction a thaler of Christoph of Soetern of utmost rarity struck in honor of Udenheim. The coin was issued just after the fortress had been completed, only some weeks before it was renamed in Philippsburg. Here’s the story about the man, the coin and the fortress...
Napoleon tames the Saxon Steed
Napoleon was a master in the art of humiliation. Please find here a characteristic example of his mastership: The French Victoria is taming the Saxon Steed on a medal made from Saxon silver.