Sicilian Mosaic Part 4: Gela
In the early 5th century, entire Sicily focused on Gela and its tyrant Gelon. Here you may gain insight into the coinage of this city in this era.
Numismatic miniatures from the North: Part 2 – Why cashless could work in Sweden
Sweden is different. The mentality of its inhabitants is characterized by an incredible willingness to act rationally at the expense of one’s personal comfort. And as to what is rational, people are quite ready to let themselves be influenced. Here are some thoughts on why the concept of the cashless society might actually work in Sweden.
Human Faces Part 17: Who Should Pay?
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
Amphitrite’s New Hat: A Coin of the Brettii
The belief systems of the ancient world teemed with beings who were a mixture of human, animal and divine elements. Many of these are so familiar to us that we no longer wonder when we see them. Yet some images are so curious that they demand further investigation.
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 Thirty Years’ War – Part 15 (1635-1637)
Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today, France is in the thick of the action.
Human faces, part 44: Flight to Varennes
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, Louis XVI tries to escape his death in vain.
Sicilian Mosaic Part 5: Syracuse
In 485, Gelon managed to gain control over the city of Syracuse. At that time, the city already looked back at decades of minting coins which featured Arethusa and a horse chariot. Why you will read here.
Cologne – the new Rome
Magnificent coins from Cologne show the city’s patron saints: the Three Magi and Saint Ursula with her companions. Rich in relics, Cologne became a new Rome. We are exploring how this wealth of saints came about using coins from the bank house Sal. Oppenheim collection.
Human Faces Part 18: A Fine Specimen of an Emperor
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.