Marianne II: Marianne as a Symbol of French Rule – Part 1
The national allegory Marianne embellishes numerous French coins. She also appeared on the coins of the colonies and overseas territories, although her imagery doesn’t seem to fit in this context. Gabriele Sturm knows more about this role of Marianne.
Sheep and Ancient Artefacts: The Coin Designs of Cyprus
Two sheep adorn the national sides of Cyprus’ low-denomination coins. A sheep doesn’t seem like the best motif to strengthen national identity. And yet, these animals feature alongside an idol from the 3rd millennium BC and an ancient trading ship. This article will reveal why this is the case and what Cyprus intends to communicate with these motifs.
On National Heroes and Nationally-Owned Enterprises
In 1975, Venezuela nationalized its oil industry – an important step in the long and eventful relationship between the country and its oil supplies. A gold coin commemorates the event. It is one of the rarest pieces of Venezuelan numismatics.
An Unwilling Victor: Maurice of Saxony and the Schmalkaldic League
On 20 June 2022, the auction house Künker will be auctioning the first part of the Dr. Walter Kemlein Collection “Saxonia in Nummis”. It includes a double taler depicting the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League, among them Maurice of Saxony, who would have preferred not to be seen in this context.
From Lira to Euro. Italy’s History in Coins – Part 9: Forza Italia
Italy’s governments tend to survive for rather short amounts of time. The political system had been surprisingly solid – until it collapsed completely due to a corruption scandal. A man who was to guide Italy into the eurozone made use of this situation in 1994: Silvio Berlusconi.
Swiss Money for Swiss Citizens
Today, only Swiss coins circulate in Switzerland. But this has only been the case for less than a century. A very rare Swiss 5 franc piece from 1928, which will be auctioned by the Rapp auction house on 6 May 2022, testifies to this shift in monetary policy.
From Lira to Euro. Italy’s History in Coins – Part 8: The Mezzogiorno
After the Second World War, Italy experienced an economic boom – mainly thinks to the workers from South Italy who slaved away in the north for little money. To this day, the country has not overcome the gap between the rich north and the poor south.
The Treasure at the End of the Rainbow
On 5 April 2022 auction house Künker offers the Christian Flesche Collection, which is probably the most spectacular collection of Celtic coins that has entered the market in recent years. Of course, it also contains the mysterious rainbow cups.
The Liberator: Augustus the Younger and His Bell Talers
On 21 March 2022, Künker will sell an important special collection of Welf issues. Among other things, it contains various types of the Brunswick glockentaler (bell talers). This article explains what Augustus the Younger wanted to express by means of these coins.
The Last Coins of Independent Syracuse
The second part of Künker’s Spring Auction Sales is dedicated to antiquity: This article presents three specimens that are among the last coins that were issued by independent Syracuse while the Romans besieged the city and Archimedes built his defense machines.