Our history in milestones
"Once you have understood the fascination that comes from minted gold and silver, you will understand that you can only be successful in the coin trade if you put your heart and soul into it." Fritz Rudolf Künker
1971
Foundation
Foundation
On July 1, 1971, Fritz Rudolf Künker founded the coin shop of the same name in Münsterland.
On July 1, 1971, Fritz Rudolf Künker founded the coin shop of the same name in Münsterland.
1971
The first stock list
The first stock list
Publication of the first stock list in the fall of 1971. 1179 numbers, 32 pages, written on a travel typewriter during summer vacation at the North Sea resort of Tossens.
Publication of the first stock list in the fall of 1971. 1179 numbers, 32 pages, written on a travel typewriter during summer vacation at the North Sea resort of Tossens.
1972
Association of German Coin Dealers
Association of German Coin Dealers
Fritz Rudolf Künker becomes a member of the professional association VdDM (Association of German Coin Dealers).
Fritz Rudolf Künker becomes a member of the professional association VdDM (Association of German Coin Dealers).
1972
The first employee
The first employee
Horst-Rüdiger Künker, brother of Fritz Rudolf Künker, was hired as the first employee on September 1, 1972.
Horst-Rüdiger Künker, brother of Fritz Rudolf Künker, was hired as the first employee on September 1, 1972.
1973
Move to Osnabrück
Move to Osnabrück
Opening of the store in Heger Straße 13 in the old town of Osnabrück.
Opening of the store in Heger Straße 13 in the old town of Osnabrück.
1979
New employees
New employees
The rapid growth required additional employees after a few years.
The rapid growth required additional employees after a few years.
1985
The first auction
The first auction
The first auction was held in Osnabrück in February 1985.
The first auction was held in Osnabrück in February 1985.
1985
A new headquarter
A new headquarter
Relocation to Gutenbergstraße 23 in Osnabrück.
Relocation to Gutenbergstraße 23 in Osnabrück.
1999
A new age
A new age
Künker launches on the World Wide Web.
Künker launches on the World Wide Web.
2003
A successor
A successor
Dr. Andreas Kaiser began his official permanent position on December 1, 2003.
Dr. Andreas Kaiser began his official permanent position on December 1, 2003.
2005
The 100th auction
The 100th auction
The 100th anniversary auction was held in Osnabrück on June 21, 2005.
The 100th anniversary auction was held in Osnabrück on June 21, 2005.
2005
A new divisionv
A new divisionv
Künker is expanding its range to include orders and decorations. As an expert, Michael Autengruber is responsible for this area.
Künker is expanding its range to include orders and decorations. As an expert, Michael Autengruber is responsible for this area.
2006
Next Generation
Next Generation
Ulrich Künker joins the company on March 1, 2006.
Ulrich Künker joins the company on March 1, 2006.
2006
Cooperation with the World Money Fair
Cooperation with the World Money Fair
The first auction at the World Money Fair in Berlin will take place on February 2, 2006.
The first auction at the World Money Fair in Berlin will take place on February 2, 2006.
2008
One branch in Munich
One branch in Munich
The Künker branch at Maximiliansplatz 12a in Munich is managed by Frank Richardsen and Olaf Niebert.
The Künker branch at Maximiliansplatz 12a in Munich is managed by Frank Richardsen and Olaf Niebert.
2010
The Künker Numismatik AG in Munich
The Künker Numismatik AG in Munich
Foundation of Künker Numismatik AG at Löwengrube 12 in Munich. Under the management of Dr. Hubert Ruß today known as the store "Künker am Dom".
Foundation of Künker Numismatik AG at Löwengrube 12 in Munich. Under the management of Dr. Hubert Ruß today known as the store "Künker am Dom".
2011
eLive Auctions
eLive Auctions
Under the leadership of Oliver Köpp, the auction platform eLive Auctions was developed and successfully established on the market. A virtual auctioneer is used to transfer the experience of a Floor Auction Sale to the Internet.
Under the leadership of Oliver Köpp, the auction platform eLive Auctions was developed and successfully established on the market. A virtual auctioneer is used to transfer the experience of a Floor Auction Sale to the Internet.
2014
Generation change
Generation change
Ulrich Künker and Dr. Andreas Kaiser take over the management of the company from Fritz Rudolf and Horst-Rüdiger Künker as managing partners.
Ulrich Künker and Dr. Andreas Kaiser take over the management of the company from Fritz Rudolf and Horst-Rüdiger Künker as managing partners.
2014
2000 square meters in new building
2000 square meters in new building
Move to the new building at Nobbenburger Straße 4a in Osnabrück.
Move to the new building at Nobbenburger Straße 4a in Osnabrück.
2015
The Preussag Collection
The Preussag Collection
In collaboration with London Coin Galleries, the “Preussag Collection Part I” is auctioned off in London.
In collaboration with London Coin Galleries, the “Preussag Collection Part I” is auctioned off in London.
2018
The Collection of the Oppenheim Banking House
The Collection of the Oppenheim Banking House
“Coined Cologne History” shows the collection of the Salomon Oppenheim Banking House, which comes under the hammer of our auctioneers in our Fall Auction Sale 313.
“Coined Cologne History” shows the collection of the Salomon Oppenheim Banking House, which comes under the hammer of our auctioneers in our Fall Auction Sale 313.
2020
The most important collection of jewish coins
The most important collection of jewish coins
In Auction 334, “The Samel Collection”, one of the most important collections of Jewish coins, assembled over decades by the Munich collector Josef Samel, will be offered for sale.
In Auction 334, “The Samel Collection”, one of the most important collections of Jewish coins, assembled over decades by the Munich collector Josef Samel, will be offered for sale.
2021
50 years of Künker
50 years of Künker
To mark the anniversary, a company chronicle of around 350 pages will be published, describing the development of Künker and the German coin trade. Interested parties can order the commemorative publication here.
To mark the anniversary, a company chronicle of around 350 pages will be published, describing the development of Künker and the German coin trade. Interested parties can order the commemorative publication here.
2022
The Salton Collection
The Salton Collection
Künker and Stacks Bowers/ New York are auctioning the Salton Collection together in several parts.
Künker and Stacks Bowers/ New York are auctioning the Salton Collection together in several parts.
