The Centén of 1609: The Most Expensive European Coin
20 January 2026
The Centén of 1609: The Most Expensive European Coin
On November 24, 2025, the 1609 centén of 100 Escudos set a record in Geneva, selling for 2.3 million CHF and becoming the most expensive modern European coin.
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Fountain competition in Braunschweig
15 January 2026
Fountain competition in Braunschweig
A medal from 1691 commemorates the fact that the rulers of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Brunswick-Lüneburg fought for supremacy.
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Assassination in the sacred sphere: the Pazzi conspiracy
16 December 2025
Assassination in the sacred sphere: the Pazzi conspiracy
Political assassins have always used sacred spaces to carry out their attacks. Immersed in prayer, the faithful are easy targets. A remarkable Renaissance medal tells the story of an assassination.
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King Kroisus and his significance for the monetary system
5 December 2025
King Kroisus and his significance for the monetary system
The coins of king Kroisus are a milestone on the path to our Western monetary system. We show you the first gold coins ever minted.
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3 Minutes of Numismatics: Saudi Arabia's First Islamic Coin
2 December 2025
3 Minutes of Numismatics: Saudi Arabia's First Islamic Coin
An Umayyad dirham from the year 105 AH could fetch more than $6 million. It originated from the mine of the Commander of the Faithful in the Hejaz. It was the first Islamic coin minted on Saudi Arabia
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Lalique and numismatics
17 November 2025
Lalique and numismatics
Lalique is one of the world's most famous Art Nouveau artists. Did you know that he also created a medal in honour of his patron, the actress Sarah Bernhardt? She was a great admirer of Lalique.
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Antimony, Borneo and the White Rajahs of Sarawak
11 November 2025
Antimony, Borneo and the White Rajahs of Sarawak
If you want to understand the 19th century, you have to look at economic history. It was profit that tempted adventurers from the Western world to build a life for themselves in exotic countries.
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Etruscan Vetulonia and its coins
3 November 2025
Etruscan Vetulonia and its coins
Vetulonia no longer shows signs of its former importance. Yet the blacksmiths of the Mediterranean world valued the iron from Vetulonia. It is still worth a visit, however.
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The first coin minted in Cologne!?
3 November 2025
The first coin minted in Cologne!?
The new RIC has thrown the coinage of Postumus into disarray. This gives an Antoninianus minted in Cologne a new significance: it is now one of the first coins to have been minted in Cologne.
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