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.
Human faces, part 29: The Doge, powerless ruler over a mighty empire
That reality and depictions of reality are two different things is a lesson we already learnt in the episode on Constantine the Great. On this coin, the image of the Doge in his pompous attire belies a reality in which he hardly holds any power anymore.
Damnatio ad Bestias, or What Happened to Roman Counterfeiters
As part of Auction 231 comprising “Ancient Art”, Gorny & Mosch presents an object that is a splendid illustration of the history of Roman law. A Terra Sigillata bowl from the 2nd to the 3rd centuries A. D. depicts a damnatio ad bestias. This type of execution was likewise applied to counterfeiters of coins.
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.
The Battle of Poltava
On February 4th, 2016, Auction House Künker will offer a gold medal, commemorating, what probably is, the most important military success of Peter the Great: his victory at the Battle of Poltava, which changed the course of the Great Nordic War.
Sicilian Mosaic Part 6: The Carthaginians attack
The following part centers on the first big battle of the Greeks against the Carthaginians and the victor: Gelon. But his victory didn’t bode well for a lot of inhabitants of Sicily: They were forced to leave their ancestral home.
The Casa Savoia – A Noble Family between Italy, France, and Switzerland Part 3
Auction house Gadoury will auction off an extensive collection Casa Savoia originating from the possessions of a gentleman of the royal family. In the last part of this series you will learn how the Savoyard kings of Sardinia became the kings of the newly established state of Italy.
Human Faces Part 19: The Saint of the Heathens
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 why Julian was nicknamed ‘The Apostate’.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 4
Both religion and power were the focal points of the Thirty Years’ War that shook the whole of Europe during the 17th century. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today you will read how war-related events moved from Bohemia to the Rhine.