Schaffhausen and Russia
On June 20, 2012 in Schaffhausen an exhibition was opened in occasion of 25 years Sturzenegger Foundation. In these years the numismatic department too has received many important acquisitions as for instance this jefímok on a Schaffhausen taler from the Tobler collection.
Catherine the Great, Moscow and the Kremlin
An impressive gold medal of Catherine the Great, which will be auctioned off at the Künker Auction 306 on 23 March 2018, shows the magnificent view of a Moscow Kremlin Palace that never existed. Here is the explanation why.
Lake Baikal gold treasure
“Glorious Sea, the Sacred Baikal”, that is how the “Baikal hymn” written by Dimitrij Davydov starts. The lake is affectionately referred to as “Pearl of Siberia” since it is the world’s biggest freshwater reservoir. Lake Baikal is...
Swiss gold coins for 25 and 50 francs – Part 1: historical origin
In 1953, Swiss National Bank was obligated by law to exchange banknotes for gold. The consequences: The country needed an enormous amount of gold circulation coins. But it was a rocky road up to the coinage, as you can read here.
Swiss gold coins for 25 and 50 francs – chapter 2: from circulation coin to coveted rarity and then...
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.
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...
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 Design of the Circulation Euro Coins: Spain – 1 Cent – 10, 20 and 50 Cent – Miguel...
The euro coins are a splendid means for all countries in the eurozone to convey their own self-conception. Choosing Miguel de Cervantes, writer of Don Quixote as depiction of a coin is a masterstroke allowing the former global power Spain to give the best account of itself.
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.