Archive – Germany
German oaks and national sentiments
It is rather unspectacular what can be seen on German 1, 2 and 5 Cent coins: a simple oak branch – boring, one might say. However, the oak symbol is very old and closely connected with Germany, its national identity and its democracy for nearly 300 years... [ more ]
Money of the German Colonies
In 1871, after the great victory over France and the unification of the German Confederation in the German Empire, ambitious German businessmen thought that everything was possible. They saw their English colleagues earning the earth in the colonies and wanted to do just the same... [ more ]
Gold for Portugal
Portugaleser, that is how the magnificent large gold coins are called that were produced in Hamburg. But what do they have to do with Portugal? The answer lies in the route the African gold has taken in the Early Modern Times...
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Parade of the “Lange Kerls” (Long Guys)
They were his special hobby, the “Lange Kerls” (Long Guys), Frederick William I of Prussia tested his military innovations on. He even had a medal dedicated to them. [ more ]
Patrona Bavariae
The depiction of the Virgin Mother is characteristic of Bavarian coins. What’s the reason for that? How did the Mary and her child take over the Bavarian coin obverses?
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The Teutonic Order in Livonia
Walter of Plettenberg managed to introduce the Reformation in Livonia in 1522 and, at the same time, to secure the continuity of the Order’s reign. From him comes a very special gold giant... [ more ]
Ottoman Imtiyaz medal awarded to German Emperor William I yields 161,000 Euros
On December 30, 1883, the Ottoman ruler drafted a decree by which he invested the German Emperor William I, his new confederate, into the Golden Order of Merit of his country, called Nishan Imtiyaz. That honor was intended to strengthen the political ties between the German Emperor and the Empire at the Bosporus River... [ more ]
Between Germany and France: A story about the fortress of Philippsburg
On June 20, 2011, Künker’s will auction a thaler of Christoph of Soetern of utmost rarity struck in honor of Udenheim. The coin was issued just after the fortress had been completed, only some weeks before it was renamed in Philippsburg. Here’s the story about the man, the coin and the fortress... [ more ]
Between Prussia and Austria – The Vienna Coinage Contract
Künker offers a comprehensive selection of coins of Emperor Franz Joseph on September 28, 2011 in sale 195. This is a splendid opportunity to recall the impact of the Vienna Coinage Contract of 1857 on the Austrian currency... [ more ]
The Princes of Solms
In early Modern times the Hesse noble house of Solms faced like many other nobles financial problems. The imperial service and own coin issues were their way of solving that issue. Even though some members of the family had not been granted the minting privilege at all … [ more ]
Money supply the Italian way
On June 20, 2012 in Schaffhausen an exhibition was opened in occasion of 25 years Sturzenegger Foundation. In these years the numismatic department too has received many important acquisitions as for instance a fraudulent imitation of Schaffhausen coins initiated by Prince Siro of Austria at Correggio. [ more ]
The Siege of Strasbourg
During the 16th century, cathedral chapters were fiercely contested between the Catholics and Protestants. The 1592 bishop election of Strasbourg illustrates this sectarian conflict especially well by reference to several siege klippes. [ more ]
Charles, Landgrave of Hesse: Creator of the Military Power of Hesse
An extremely rare double ducat made of Eder-gold will be sold at Kunker’s on October 30, 2012. It reminds us of how poor of natural resources this region once had been. Hence, Charles created a resource of his own: his army. [ more ]
The Counts of Montfort and their Coinage
The last reigning count of Montfort sold his county to the Austrians and retired on a pension. Thus ended a secular history of his family which coin collectors might know particularly as producer of fake and imitative coins. [ more ]
Two Dukes in Pomerania
On January 31, 2013, a Pomerania collection will be coming up for auction at Künkers’. Here, we present two coins from the collection that are as different as the men who had them minted. [ more ]
Wolfgang II von Barby (1586-1615) – An Imperial Count in Financial Straits
On January 31, 2013, Künker will hold his fabulous Berlin sale in connection with the World Money Fair. Among the many rare pieces on offer is a unique thaler from Barby. This thaler testifies to the financial difficulties of the small imperial estate at the beginning of the modern era. [ more ]
Pour le mérite
On May 31, 1740, Frederick II succeeded his father on the throne, soldier-king Frederick William I. To the 28 year-old, that came as some kind of liberation. Finally, he was able to carry out his ideas. [ more ]
Owner of the Hackney Hoard ascertained
In 2007 residents of the London borough Hackney came upon a treasure of 80 American gold coins, while digging a frog pond. Now the real owner of these coins has been ascertained. It is the descendant of a German Jew, who escaped to Britain in 1938... [ more ]
‘Cityscapes’ – City views on historical coins and medals
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham (UK), shows an exhibition on panoramic views of Europe’s great cities on European coins and medals. ‘Cityscapes’ will be on display until 6 October 2013 and in addition it will be accompanied by an online exhibition. [ more ]
400 guldens – eternal debts
German capital Berlin is being crushed by its debts. Nothing new as far as this. But its real debts have hushed up for a long time: 400 guldens borrowed by Berlin-Cölln in 1562 from the small town of Mittenwalde have grown to trillions in the meanwhile. [ more ]
Holy Grail from Lake Chiemsee
A cup made of pure gold and inspired by Celtic art has troubled the press for quite some time. A Swiss entrepreneur tried to gain one billion Euro from the ‘Holy Grail’ – and failed miserably. Now he has been condemned by a court. [ more ]