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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The Menai Strait Bridge on the Telford Medal
14 October 2025
The Menai Strait Bridge on the Telford Medal
Since 1826, the first suspension bridge in history has spanned the Menai Strait connecting the island of Anglesey with the Welsh mainland. This feat of engineering is commemorated by the Telford Medal
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A medal commemorates the Krakow Constitution of 1833
14 October 2025
A medal commemorates the Krakow Constitution of 1833
Prussia, Austria, and Russia divided Poland among themselves. But Poland did not disappear. Polish nationalists rose up in repeated uprisings to reclaim their land. This had dire consequences.
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The First World War: Australia and its kookaburra penny
2 October 2025
The First World War: Australia and its kookaburra penny
Australia's ‘kookaburra penny’ was created after the First World War: a coin design featuring the national bird, a symbol of hope and new beginnings in a nation in turmoil.
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A double Louis d'or from 1640/41
30 July 2025
A double Louis d'or from 1640/41
In 1640, a new coin minting technique became popular in France. Jean Varin introduced the balancier. However, the coin smiths at the old Paris mint resisted this change, as this coin shows.
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