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Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? Discussions about the precise nature of these heads could be highly entertaining as the example of the Swiss Vreneli demonstrates.

In our series “Expeditions into the realm of numismatics”, we are taking you along on an expedition to the treasures of the Basel Coin Cabinet. In the second part, the mystery of a Hercules medal with a particularly high relief often attributed to the Paduan medallist Giovanni da Calvino will be solved.

In the 17th century, Cologne was shaken by the quarrel of two families competing for the archbishop’s office. Joseph Clemens of Wittelsbach prevailed, was forced to exile – and has left us with presentation pieces featuring interesting motifs.

It takes much effort and planning until a collector can purchase his commemorative coin that will serve as a memento of an event which – like the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – will become part of the national myth.

“Made by Maria” can be read in Russian on the reverse of a medal, which will be auctioned off on June 21st, 2016 at Künker. It is remarkable, that a woman created these dies, and the story gets even more interesting, knowing that this die cutter was a Russian czarina.