Tabora gold, the German currency minted in the jungles of Africa
In the late 19th century, Germany aggressively pursued its ambitions to rival the major colonial powers, seeking to secure raw materials and resources to fuel its burgeoning industry. To this end, it extended its influence over the Great Lakes region of East Africa (which today includes Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and parts of Mozambique), sometimes under the guise of humanitarian concerns such as combating the slave trade, and at other times under the pretext of economic interests.
March 3, 2026HistoryThe coin of the assassination of Julius Caesar
On March 15, 44 BC, Rome was shaken to its core by an event that changed the course of human history: the death of Julius Caesar. This brilliant military leader, born in 100 BC, who extended Rome's influence from Gaul to Britain, could not have foreseen that his greatest victories would lead to his dramatic end. His ambition led to his assassination after his triumph over…
March 3, 2026NumismaticsRussian platinum coins
The discovery of platinum in Siberia: Platinum was discovered in Siberia, in Tsarist Russia, in 1819, and economically viable quantities were found in 1824. Newly developed mining methods enabled Russia to obtain large quantities, making it one of the world's largest exporters and prompting Russian monetary authorities to consider using platinum in minting coins. Why…
February 21, 2026NumismaticsThe Gold Chervonets: The Story of a Peasant Currency Rejected by the World
The birth of the gold shervontz amidst chaos: As is our custom, we try to connect the present with the past and currencies with history. On the occasion of May Day, International Workers' Day, we will tell you a story linked to workers and peasants in one way or another: the story of the Soviet Union's gold shervontz. The shervontz first appeared as currency for Soviet Russia in 1922 amidst the economic chaos that gripped the country at the time.
February 21, 2026NumismaticsSiege money: When palace ingots become soldiers' currency
Siege money, also known as "necessity money," is an interesting aspect of monetary history. These coins were issued during times of war or invasion, particularly when a city or town was under siege. The need for such money arose from the disruption of monetary circulation during wartime, leading to a scarcity of coins in circulation.
February 21, 2026HistorySale of the Danish West Indies
In a previous post, we posed a question about a currency from the Danish West Indies and its connection to Greenland and the United States. In today's post, we'll recount an interesting chapter of history—a chapter that will help us better understand the present and Trump's claims to annex Greenland, which is under Danish control. Let's begin with the West Indies... The West Indies: An Economic Resource…
February 20, 2026NumismaticsEgyptian civilization on American currency
The secret of the engraved design inspired by Egypt: In 1908, two denominations of American gold coins, the $5 and $2.50, were introduced with a new design inspired by and intended to honor Native American culture. These coins became known as the Half and Quarter Eagles (the ten-dollar bill was called the Eagle, hence the five-dollar coin was called the Half Eagle and the 2.5-dollar coin the Quarter Eagle, while…)
February 20, 2026HistoryThe most beautiful and last French gold coins
The 100-franc gold coin designed by Lucien Bazur is the last French gold coin and one of the most magnificent coins ever minted. It also has a fascinating story, which we will attempt to summarize in this article. After World War I, many countries, including France, faced significant economic challenges. The war had depleted national gold reserves…
February 20, 2026HistoryPersonal union in history
We have all heard of instances where two or more countries unite, voluntarily or by force, to form a single state. Personal unions have occurred in our modern Arab history; for example, Syria and Egypt entered into a merger in 1958, forming the United Arab Republic. Our article today discusses another form of this union, one usually associated with a monarchical system of government, and whose core element is…
February 20, 2026HistoryBritish East India Company
The Founding of the Company and its Military Influence: Today we will learn about the company that minted coins in its name and possessed an army larger than that of the country it came from. It is the East India Company. Often referred to as the EIC, the East India Company was a British trading company founded in 1600. The East India Company played a crucial role in the history of trade, colonialism, and the global economy.
February 20, 2026HistoryCommemorative foundation coins: treasures buried beneath parliaments
While most coins are made for circulation and exchange among people, some coins are minted so that people never use them, or even see them. They are buried as soon as they are made and disappear from sight. In today's article, we will learn about a special category of commemorative coins called foundation coins (foundations of buildings) buried beneath the floors of parliaments, cathedrals, and palaces around the world…
February 20, 2026AuctionsRare Zenobia coins up for Heritage Auction
The Heritage Auctions coin sale, featuring two rare Syrian coins, concluded on the morning of August 20th, Syrian time. Although minted in Alexandria, Egypt, these coins represent a rare political document demonstrating how a Syrian queen established herself at the heart of the Roman monetary system. Let's explore these two coins and the story of Zenobia, in the mid-third century...
February 20, 2026NumismaticsThe secret of the two letters on Roman coins
What is the secret of the two letters on Roman coins? In our next article, we will answer today's riddle. First, it's worth noting that one of our perceptive followers discovered something unusual in the image of the Orois coin we shared: the presence of the Latin letters SC. Collectors of Roman coins are accustomed to seeing these letters on bronze and copper coins, so why is it so strange to see them on gold coins? Let's find out…
February 20, 2026HistoryThe Black Stone of Homs: A God's Journey from Homs to Rome
The Black Stone of Homs: The Syrian city of Homs is known in popular memory as the City of Black Stones, or the Mother of Black Stones, due to the abundance of dark basalt volcanic rocks that surround the city and have been part of its architecture for centuries. However, Homs was historically known for one particular black stone, a stone that was not merely an element of nature, but a center of worship…
February 20, 2026