The unexpected rescue of a popular hero is always an exciting subject, but the 40mm bronze medal presented to Lieutenant H.S. Hartstene for his role in finding arctic explorer Elisha Kent Kane is especially treasured.

Novices might not think of walking as a competition event, but the 1984 International Games and the Olympics include this sport. A mysterious 38 millimeter, .999 silver 500 Syli coin of the West African Republic of Guinea even depicts the event in action. The obverse portrays the unidentified chief of state with a bemused expression. [...]

A man of amazing flexibility, Portugal’s King Dom Joao VI (born 1767, died 1826) could never have been called handsome. His copper 40 Reis coins struck as Regent in 1811-1814 and as King (1819-1825) show him as short and squat with little visible neck and distinctly frog-like features. He ruled after his mother Queen Maria [...]

Portugal has a rich commemorative coinage history, including a 1997 crown-sized 1,000 Escudos hailing the centenary of oceanographic voyages of the yacht Amelia sponsored by her own King Carlos I (1889-1909) and his contemporary, Prince Albert I of Monaco (1848-1922). The coin shows small facing busts of both rulers, the reverse displaying the Arms of [...]

An old 1940s song had it, “You can’t go back to Constantinople… ‘cause it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople!” So it is with this attractive 1911 commemorative 3 Mark coin, struck at the Berlin Mint to hail the centenary of the University of Breslau. Struck in the high flood tide of the German empire, the obverse bears [...]

Not all interesting coins are worth a million… or even $10! Vast numbers of modern world coin types can be acquired for infinitely less, coins of history, beauty and appeal. Musicians on coins provide one lively topic, but until 1970 the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven was not represented on any nation’s commemoratives. Deaf as [...]