مسكوكات نادرة
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, 2026The 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, 2026The 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, 2026Siege 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, 2026Sale 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, 2026Egyptian 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, 2026The 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, 2026Commemorative 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, 2026