Gnadenpfennigs are an extremely rare category of numismatic objects. We are proud to offer nine lots in our berlin auction sale 418 on 29 January 2025 that are, or are likely to be, gnadenpfennigs. We explain the purpose of these issues and when they were created.

On 29 January 2025, we will auction a series of valuable Renaissance medals. These “representative pfennigs” with biblical themes were minted in the region of Joachimsthal and were intended to spread the teachings of the Reformation. Johannes Mathesuis, the author of Luther’s Table Talk, may have been at the origin of some of the motifs.

On 29 January 2025, we will be auctioning an object of major art-historical importance in Berlin: The very Albrecht Dürer himself had been commissioned by the Nuremberg City Council to create the dies for medals that were to be officially handed to Charles V during his entry into the city in 1521.

On 31 October 2024, Künker will auction off part 9 of the Dr. W.R. Collection. It presents Roman coins from the period between the civil war of 68/9 and the end of the Severan dynasty. The diverse material illustrates the numismatic traces of the consecration of Roman emperors.

As part of the phaleristic auction 415 on 28 October 2024, we will be auctioning the set of gold medals that Emperor Franz Joseph presented to his father-in-law, Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria. It is the numismatic souvenir of a wedding that turned out to be a nightmare for his daughter – young Elisabeth, who is better known as Sissi or Sisi today.

In the context of Künker’s phaleristic sale at the end of October, the Osnabrück auction house will present orders from the estate of Carl Theodor Duke in Bavaria. Carl Theodor is one of the most interesting figures of Bavarian history. In contrast to his famous sister Sisi, he managed to live a fulfilled and self-determined life – as an eye specialist.

Few women have left such a decisive mark on the history of 19th-century Europe as Cleméntine d’Orléans, and yet it was not until 2007 that her life was honored with a biography. We are delighted to be able to offer a coin collection that once belonged to this woman.

Since the 16th century, people throughout Europe have collected coins and medals of the popes. Papal issues were often intended to be collectibles rather than a means of payment. We give a little introduction to this fascinating field of collection.

On 1 February 2024, we will hold our 400th auction sale. Among the 770 lots are very rare issues from the reign of Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia. They bear witness to the achievements of the Great Elector, who brought prosperity to a realm devastated by the Thirty Years’ War.