Spain has been handed over treasure from shipwreck
After years of law suits a US federal court ruled that a treasure valued at more than $500 million has to be returned to Spain. Thus, the private sea recovery firm that discovered the treasure in 2007 had to hand it over.
Silver coin to celebrate the birthdays of Norvegian Royal couple
Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja both celebrate their 75th birthdays in 2012. To mark the occasion, Norges Bank has issued a commemorative silver coin on the King’s birthday, 21 February. Queen Sonja celebrates her 75th birthday on 4 July.
Two new collector coins from Hungary
The Central Bank of Hungary issues two new collector silver coins. One of them is dedicated to “The Tragedy of Men” written by Imre Madach. The other coin is part of the programme “European Artists” and celebrates the 125th birthday of the sculptor and artist Jozsef Remenyi.
The “White Gadoury” is available again!
The 4th edition of “Monnaies royales françaises: Louis XIII à Louis XVI, 1610-1792” has been completely revised and comprises 363 numbers on 503 pages in full color.
China to issue first show medals
For the first time since 1997, China is issuing an official set of gold & silver medals to commemorate a prestigious coin fair. Four new official Panda medals commemorating the Singapore International Coin Fair have been released.
New “Rome on the Danube” silver coin: Lauriacum
On April 11, 2012 the Austrian Mint has issued the fifth 20 euro silver coin in the intriguing “Rome on the Danube” series dedicated to the town of Lauriacum where today’s twin cities of Lorch and Enns are located.
Law suit in Israel ends with acquittal of defendants
An art collector was accused of leading an international forgery ring backed up by a dealer and researcher according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. But not much of this has remained after a seven years law suit; the judge stated that the question whether the artefacts were fakes or not has yet to be resolved by future research.
Counterfeit euros in steady decrease
The EU Commission reports that in 2011 the number of counterfeit coins has decreased by 15% down to 157,000 coins. The 2-euro denomination remains by far the most counterfeited euro coin. But there is only 1 counterfeit for every 100,000 genuine coins.
Sensational Celtic hoard found in Switzerland
In Füllinsdorf nearby Basel around 300 Celtic silver coins from the time of 80/70 BC were found. It is the largest hoard of Celtic coin made of precious metal ever made in Switzerland. Archäologie Baselland shows the new find in an exhibition.
Diary of a numismatist travelling Turkey (2009) – Part 7
You don’t have to introduce Istanbul. Everyone knows the beautiful city at Bosporus River. This was our last stop on our journey across Turkey. After having been to areas with barely any touristic infrastructure it was almost a civilization shock to finally get anything again a tourist would wish.