Articles
Articles for collectors, numismatics, philately, bonistics.
Interesting facts, studies, excursions into history.
Information about rare coins, banknotes, stamps and postcards.
Prose of the life of the main storyteller
There is probably no child, or adult, who does not listen to the wonderful fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen.
Vivien Leigh: the price of success for a Hollywood legend
A surprised arched brow, jet-black curls, plump lips, and cold, beautiful eyes-such a heavenly creature is presented at the mention of Vivien Leigh.
'Choi is not dead. He went out for a smoke'
For the turbulent, full of changes in the 80s of the last century, Viktor Tsoi became a real idol, a symbol of defiance and the personification of strength.
Alexander Pushkin: 'I erected a monument to myself not made with hands'
Alexander Pushkin-what is he like? What do we know about it today? After studying the writer's work, analyzing his entire life by day, Pushkin scholars have not come to a single conclusion.
Assignats of The French revolution
French assignats of the XVIII century were generated by the great French revolution.
Walruses, or rubles of the Northern region
'Money is running out-send it urgently!' - such telegrams came to the Central office of the state Bank in early 1918 from all over Russia.
Frida Kahlo: the bitter beauty of suffering
Frida Kahlo was often called a female follower of Salvador Dali, but she believed that her work was based not on ephemeral allusions of Surrealists, but on the personal pain of loss and betrayal.
The estimated signs of the collective supply, 1921 - 1922
How can banknotes issued by an enterprise be more attractive to the population of the country than nationwide legal tender? They can!
Transcaucasian ruble
In November 1917, immediately after the Bolsheviks seized power in Petrograd, the Transcaucasian Commissariat was established in Tiflis, which assumed full power in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
'Elementary, My Dear Watson!'
'Elementary, My Dear Watson!'- a phrase that immediately identifies a literary hero.
Mundiale 2018 on stamps and coins
Arrigo Sacchi called football 'the most important thing of all the unimportant things'. Well, the coach knows better.
'Hot. Winter. Yours'
The theme of sports battles that broke out in Sochi from February 7 to 23, 2014, did not leave anyone indifferent.
From the depths of centuries to the present day: a brief history of Olympic coins
The first Olympic coins, covered with the dust of centuries, have been preserved since the Olympic competitions held in Ancient Greece.
Kings are not born, they become...
... due to a General hallucination. These words of Bernard Shaw aptly characterize the life and work of Michael Jackson, crowned king of the world pop pop scene.
Ataman Semyonov's money
Ataman Semyonov Grigory Mikhailovich was not just one of the Cossack atamans, of which there were many in the Civil war.
Banknote $ 2 USA
The value in 2 units of national currency rare among bills – 2 dollar bill United States was in company with 2 Chinese yuan, 2 Bulgarian leva, 2 Georgian lari and a small list is not the most well-known currency such as the Kwacha, Zambia, Ghana Cedi, Rufiyaa Maldives, Tala Western Samoa etc.
The prima Donna of Soviet cinema
It is difficult to imagine the Soviet cinema is effervescent and incomparable, talented and unique Lyubov Orlova.
ACE in the hole
Unmatched, mysterious, phenomenal Harry Houdini remained for many inexplicable mystery.
Surrogate money Kremenchug
The Civil war in Russia gave rise to a great variety of surrogate money: they released armed forces – the fronts and armies, provincial and district cities, factories and shops.
The signature on the bill – autograph layman
On 14 June 1928 in Rosario (Argentina), born Ernesto Che Guevara – revolutionary and statesman, Argentinian by birth, whose name is usually associated with crucial events in the history of other Latin American countries – Cuba.
Bariski pound - money of the separatists
November 26, 1969 leader of the rock band Beatles John Lennon returned to the Queen the Order of the British Empire.
The Maestro of all lovers
Mendelssohn is the 'Wedding March'. Such Association occurs primarily when you hear the name of the German composer.
A musical genius at all times
Talent Mozart was admired by many of his contemporaries, however, the life of a genius was filled with the unfulfilled hopes and bitter disappointments.
'You can have the universe but leave me Italy'
Giuseppe Verdi is among those geniuses, whose careers are inextricably linked with the Motherland.
Frederic Chopin: 'I give my Heart to the Motherland'
Figuratively and literally the heart of the Polish composer and pianist Frederic Chopin, remained faithful to his homeland.
Joseph Haydn, mercury and the 'Oscar' when the stars line up
Franz Joseph Haydn glorified his birth is not known to anyone lower Austria village of Rohrau, where he came into this world.
Not the Wagner one...
Wagner is not one man alive, and not on Tchaikovsky, light a wedge has converged. Sometimes you want to scream in the ears gone, and the slam of the fan zone to tread.
Claude Monet: impressions on the other side of the canvas
It is today we rave about the paintings of French impressionist Claude Monet.
Once again on the rebel money
In 1861 in the US Civil war began between the North and the South. The war had divided the country into 2 spheres of monetary circulation: on the North, the trade was served by green notes (greenbacks) with portraits of President Lincoln and Treasury Secretary chase, in the South it was more diverse and much more interesting.
My first collection painting - tale always with me
When my dad gave me a birthday album for brands, the question of its content.
'The sadness will last forever'
These last words of Vincent van Gogh became the motto of his life. Misunderstood, rejected by society, placed in a hospital for the mentally ill van Gogh never ceased to write, leaving to posterity more than 2,000 of his paintings.
Name - Rembrandt
The great painter from a young age set a goal to be on a par with the most famous masters of the middle Ages, by Titian, Raphael, Michelangelo. So he signed his paintings briefly, but pathetically, Rembrandt.
Mintmaster (continued, part 3)
In the list of Russian mintmaster it is impossible not to pay attention to 2 of the dynasty - Bobrovskaya and Follendorf.
The banknotes of the sample c signature of the Minister of Finance
Sample paper banknotes – special topic in bonistics, and – rare: not much happens. It should be recognized that sample sample – discord: when the sample is intended for reproduction of banknotes is one case, and when samples are intended for distribution to banks or for business gifts is another case.
The day of military glory
Federal Law of the Russian Federation establishes the memorable days of Russia, which marks of the great victories of the Russian troops. On a par with the defeat of the Tatars at Kulikovo field, and a victory over the Teutons at lake Peipus is the triumph of the young Russian fleet at Cape Gangut in the Baltic sea.
Money besieged fortresses
Carta MоnetataBanknotes can be issued independent States, cities in these States and even individual enterprises, each time within the boundaries of their authority. In the history there were cases when banknotes were produced - and long enough applied! in areas besieged by the enemy fortresses.
Known and unknown to Charles Darwin
Many school years remember the strict and angry image of a bearded man, sternly looking down from the numerous portraits hanging in the offices of biology. The harsh image of a Mature Charles Darwin radically opposite to him in his youth. Surprised by some facts of his biography, knowing that You will forever change your opinion about the great scientist husband...
Che Guevara on the coins
Image Ernesto Guevara de La Serna, known worldwide as Che Guevara, or simply Che, pushed out on numerous coins not in vain. Of course, his political ideology as an active fighter for the victory of world revolution today has lost its relevance. However, a comprehensive, open to the world the personality of Che Guevara, of course, will always be interesting.
Surrogate money Berezovskaya GRES
Of Katya, of petenka, kerenki, petkovci, kolakoski – in these 'nicknames' of banknotes is easy to discern the names of the statesmen of Russia, emperors, Ministers and generals. And in honor of a person is called paper money, known popularly chasingame?
Gagarin on the coins
Yuri Gagarin - the first human who conquered the space height. After orbiting the earth 108 minutes, he will forever remain in the history, starting Chronicle of human spaceflight.
Payment coins tokens
Coins the tokens represent a very curious specimen of the attempts to eliminate the circulation of money from the sphere of internal circulation of commercial structures, such as clubs, gambling houses, restaurants, hotels, shops, etc.
Mintmaster (continued, part 2)
For us, looking at the position of mintmaster from the position of the XXI century, it is important to understand that, strictly speaking, mintmaster was the chief of the mint in the modern sense of the word.
Mintmaster (continued part 1)
Historians detect the beginnings of the profession of mintmasters in antiquity. So in Ancient Greece in city-States there was a special controller for applying the mark on the silver coins of your policy, which was especially important for tetradrachms, which actually served the function of international money. Ancient Rome during the Republic established a panel of 3 persons with the functions of mintmaster, and Julius Caesar increased the number to 4-H.
'Aspida' - err not a problem?
The history of rare stamps known to collectors as 'Aspida', in the distant 30-ies of the twentieth century. At this time in the USSR actively developed airship, which is reflected in philately. That was preceded by the visit of the German airship 'Graf Zeppelin', which visited Moscow in the autumn of 1930.
As I discovered numismatics
I have, like a real numismatist (I want to believe that I can call myself so) has a lot of friends and acquaintances with whom we have a common passion - coins. But I, and all my friends collectors started with something small.
A genius for all times
The intellectual legacy of Leonardo da Vinci's genius and all-encompassing. Hard to believe that this man lived in the epoch of the Spanish Inquisition and the mass of ignorance, when the disease treated plots, and socio-economic instability blamed witches. Endowing humanity ahead of time works, da Vinci realized that the information needs to be metered. Therefore, all his works, he did hardly accessible for reading, using his famous mirror writing technique.
The airship
The genius of da Vinci in 1485, in his manuscript describes a kind of fixture, ('tent'), with which you can safely descend from any height. The material for it was used starched fabric, the size reaches 6-7 meters. This idea formed the basis for the creation of a parachute, which later evolved into the managed aircraft streamlined form of airship.
As I began collecting stamps at age seven
Birthday - for many (including to me) is a favorite holiday. Always waiting for happy events, guests and, of course, gifts.The seven-year period I remember not only sweet Goodies from my mom. But a surprise from my dad. It was not the album, not the book, which opened inside I saw the familiar pages. There was maaaaaaany pictures in a fancy carved frame. Each looked at me, a bright flower with the inscription 'Mail USSR'...
Coins of the Soviet Union Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Collectible coins USSR with the image of Vladimir Lenin issued since 1967. Was released into circulation coins: 1 ruble and 50 kopecks. The collection was created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the great October revolution. On these coins the leader is shown full length and indicates the society is the path to a bright Communist future. Over the next years coins were issued to various memorable dates and events...
Coins of ancient Russia
Your coins in Ancient Rus to the VIII century was not minted. In circulation was a silver Roman denarius of I-III centuries, and later the drachma and the Iranian Sassanid dynasty IV-VII centuries. At the end of the VIII century appeared in circulation silver dirhams of the Arab Caliphate, and Byzantine coins — silver miliaris and gold solidi.
Money of Odessa 1917
In 1917, Odessa was living with the same problems as the whole of Russia-literally 'without a Tsar in my head': freedom, rallies and anarchy.
Phoenician tetradrachma from the city of Arados
Tetradrachma (from tetras-four, drachme-drachma) is a silver coin that served as a major monetary unit in the domestic trade of Ancient Greece, Judea, Phoenicia and in international trade.
25 livres 1792
How could two seemingly mutually exclusive things – the portrait of the king of France and the symbolism of The great French revolution-be depicted on one state monetary sign?
'Back to the future': see you in a few years...
I can't believe it, but in 2020, the film 'Back to the future' turns 35 years old.
Trendsetter
She introduced a tan and a little black dress, dressed women in pantsuits and created the famous perfume number five, which became a classic of elite perfume.
Faina Ranevskaya: 'Damn this very talent that made me unhappy'
'Who would know my loneliness?'- exclaims Faina Georgievna in her book 'Diaries on scraps'.
Byzantine follis of the X-XI century ad.
Follis - so in Ancient Rome called a bag of copper coins, which was sealed for ease of handling – so as not to count the change.
Marlene Dietrich: 'Happiness comes to the diligent'
Brilliant screen star Marlene Dietrich-actress, singer, sex symbol of the 30s, commander of the Legion of Honor, Oscar nominee, lover of such world celebrities as Ernest Hemingway and Jean Gabin...
Pyotr Stolypin: turn back history
A brilliant statesman, Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin went down in history as a great reformer of the Russian state.
1 000 karbovanets of the Ukrainian state of 1918
A curious fact of our history: during the difficult years of the Civil war, when the Russian Empire collapsed into several parts, each of which proved its right to a special path of development by armed means, and the people were starving, issuers of banknotes that had no experience in state construction sometimes produced such masterpieces that surpass most modern money in their beauty.
O. K. Z. Badge.
Exonumia or paranumismatics-this is the name of collecting coin-like artifacts that were not originally intended to perform the function of money.
Silver denarius in honor of the diva Faustina
Annia Galeria Faustina Major was the name of the wife of the ancient Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius.
Vladimir Vysotsky: 'I don't lie with one letter'
I would like to give you an opportunity to talk about Vladimir Vysotsky... to Vladimir Semyonovich himself.
Prince Avalov-Bermondt's money
During the civil war, the Volunteer armies of the white movement were engaged in issuing their own money.
Black and white movie by the Lumiere brothers
There are many high - profile stories associated with the world - famous French-the Lumiere brothers.
The money town of Lewes, East Sussex, England
Lewis is a small town in the South-East of England, administrative centre of the County of East Sussex.
The Drachma Of Ancient Greece
The drachma was the name of the national currency of the Hellenic Republic prior to the introduction of the Euro in the country since January 1, 2002.
Steven Spielberg: 'All I want is a life'
The great optimist and life lover Steven Spielberg count myself among the ordinary spectators.
Allongee Marius Petipa - a good finale to a brilliant career
The name of Marius Petipa has always been inextricably linked with the Mariinsky theatre and ballet. Moreover, the Russian, despite the fact that he was a native of Marseilles.
Marilyn Monroe: 'I Hate to be a thing'
At different times of their idols, but there are personalities, whose bright life and unique charisma delight as their contemporaries, and fans of future generations.
What I wanted to tell the world the Great Mute
Incredibly touching, naive and simple form of a Tramp, by which we know and love Charlie Chaplin was loved by the audience not just.
Beethoven: the Moon, the Beatles and a little love
Speaking 'Beethoven', we mean first and foremost 'Moonlight Sonata', is thoroughly permeated with love longing and sadness about what you really want, but it is impossible to achieve.
Venetian Ducat – not gold
Brilliant 500-year history of the Venetian gold Ducat was completed at the end of the XVIII century together with the loss of independence.
The Venetian gold Ducat
Golden circle 980-th sample of 3.5 grams, diameter of 21 mm is the most stable medieval currency: we are talking about the gold Venetian Ducat.
Mininni
The theme of 'money hunger' in Russia occurs in periods of revolutionary for the economy to shocks when the power in the heart ceases to feel the pulse of life on the ground.
Patriarchal romanticism of Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is known to the world as a brilliant composer, author of operas, ballets, symphonies, romances. He is one of those brilliant artists whose creative take-off is inseparable from the fate of their country.
Nemcova
Russia, 1990-e years – the disintegration of economic ties, the chain of defaults, the salary is not paid for 2-3 months.
Pointless eternal rest Kazimir Malevich
Of course for those who are more close to the classical canons of painting, the paintings of Kazimir Malevich seems kind of stupid nonsense, aggressive degenerative daubs.
My favorite brand
If You have something a lot, why should something/someone will be You like more than others. So every teacher has their favorites, the coach - their favourites, the collector - the most valuable specimens.
Sol inspiration is my Aivazovsky
This year, 17 (29 articles) July marks 203 years since the birth of the marine painter Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky. Today some people prefer extravagant abstract art Picasso, I caress your soul classic seascapes.
The oldest Bon in my collection
'Financial newspaper' for July 13, 2020 published an article entitled 'the US Dollar turned 230 years.' Based on the title of the article, this is the year Americans should toast in honor of the 230th anniversary of the national currency.
Mintmaster (continued, part 4)
The efforts of such masters as Nikolai Follendorf, minting Russian coins became more technologically advanced, and their appearance more attractive.
The most expensive paintings on coins
Can you see the Creek, or to attach the canvas to the gentle breath of the night breeze?.. Painting meets solid 'Yes', demonstrating to the world the masterpieces of the geniuses of van Gogh and Munch, Cezanne and Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. Let them have the originals of the paintings are few, but enjoy a small elegant reproduction to afford any connoisseur. Especially if it is placed on an original coin.
Chesmensky fight he most difficult...
In continuation of the victorious events of the early EIGHTEENTH century, Russia intensified the struggle for sea domination. After more than half a century, the focus of their activities was the black sea direction, a promised political and economic benefits.
Gangut battle, the first victory of the Russian fleet
Russia the end of the SEVENTEENTH century, impoverished peasantry, an idle nobility... All this against the background of complete absence of enterprises, dirty ditches instead of roads, hard economic isolation and incapable of the regular army, unable to win over the poles or over the Turks or the Tatars, their main political opponents.
Interesting facts about coins
Numismatics cannot be considered separately from historical science. Actually, numismatics and the history of coins. For centuries, mankind accumulate experience of operations with currency. Before you settle in our wallets-sounding coins, the money's going through an interesting path of development. We offer you a selection of the most amazing facts, telling mankind about the history of commodity-money relations.
'Beware when the Almighty sends to earth thinker'
Many school years known fundamental work of Charles Robert Darwin's On the origin of species'. However, few people know that the famous philosopher and naturalist since childhood had a passion for collecting. He collected everything - coins, shells, minerals. His collection was chaotic, but, of course, be Darwin at that time, the program HOBBYKEEPER, everything would be different.
Interesting facts about paper money: kasimovskiy booms
What connection can there be between the district town of the Ryazan province and Prime Minister of great Britain Baroness Margaret Thatcher, who in this town has never been and hardly anything heard about it? Money, or rather banknotes, more precisely – the image on the banknotes.
Philatelic Gagarina - passion Hero
Yuri Gagarin - the first man who saw the ground from a height of 180 km, on 12 April 1961. As a representative of the country of Soviets, Gagarin a few days ahead of US, the first 'punched a hole' in the heavenly space of the Earth. The competition in this issue was very sharp, American astronaut flew may 5, what the United States is sorry still. 'A shame that we are not the first' - so wrote the Western media for this reason.
Interrupted flight of Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The heavy twin-engine fighter P-38 'lightning', piloted by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, was literally interrupted. This happened on 31 July 1944 in the sea near Marseille, when raged the Second world war. The life of 44-year-old pilot, reporter, writer, Chevalier of the Legion of honor was broken on the peak of...
'Seagull' conquering space
Call sign 'Chaika' belongs to the world's first female astronaut, which was the representative of the Soviet Union Valentina Tereshkova. She did a Titanic work. Fame and glory on Tereshkova not fallen from the sky, and the dignity deserved for long hours of exhausting training and technical training. The result was a historic 70-hour flight around the globe on the ship 'Vostok-6', launched from Baikonur cosmodrome on 16 June 1963.
Non-motorized aviation conquers the sky
Light, quiet, economical - so can be summarized gliders, motorless aircraft. Their rise came in the 20-30-ies of XX century, when the sky slowly began to submit to the wingless. Airships, and then the gliders made their first steps to the development of near-earth celestial space. And after some 40 years (!) the first man went up on a space orbit of the Earth.
The iconic figures of coinage
MintmasterCoinage at all times was - and still is - a process closed from prying eyes, as the output has a special product for the money. Therefore, the coinage always has high requirements not only in terms of their appearance, but also due to the accurate regulation of the quality and quantity of material used – sample of the main precious metal (gold, silver, platinum) and the percentage of additives (alloys): a fuzzy implementation of the requirements could disrupt monetary circulation of the country. In any country someone has to monitor the implementation of these requirements and is personally responsible for their accurate performance, these controllers of coinage has historically been called a 'SyncMaster' from it. münzmeister — literally 'coin master'.
Graf Zeppelin crossed the clouds
The airship left a huge mark in the history of space exploration. With these giants the earthlings made the first confident steps in the sky, carrying postal cargo, carrying out scientific research flights and passenger traffic. However, like the dinosaurs, these flying machines had vanished, replaced by a more reliable and progressive machines. But the company airship justly be called the Dawn of the space prior to Gagarin's flight.
Astronomical engineering doctoral monk Nicolaus Copernicus
Humanity began its path to the development of the sky long before the first space flights. Your contribution to science was made by brilliant scientists, starting with Leonardo da Vinci, Giordano Bruno and Nicolaus Copernicus. It is the Polish astronomer proved that the earth revolves around the Sun and not Vice versa. He opened a new page in the study of the nature of things, giving 'green light' for the subsequent work of Kepler, Newton and Galileo.
'Catch up and overtake', or as the USSR with the USA in space exploration competed
The competition, starting with the era of airships, resulted in a massive race to conquer outer space. The country's two rival camps actively fought for the right to be the first to fly into space, and managed to do it to the Soviet Union. 12 April 1961 Yuri Gagarin spent 108 minutes of flight, successfully landed on the vastness of the Saratov region.
The theme of space flights in the Middle ages
'What is the space in the middle Ages!' - shout You. - 'There would fit with the Inquisition deal but hand soap learning to wash!' Really advanced minds at that time was already busy looking for answers to the questions of the universe, including 'firm is the sky?' and 'why can't people fly?'
Peace, labor, brand!
The first may, international workers ' Day - a holiday that is celebrated in many countries around the world. In modern Russia it is called the Holiday of Spring and Labor. This holiday is historically associated with the Soviet past of our country, demonstrations in the streets, red flags, balloons and portraits of leaders.
That you can buy on the ruble in different eras?
The Russian currency is in circulation for at least eight centuries — evidenced by the Novgorod birchbark documents. But, of course, the real value of the national currency and its appearance varied greatly from era to era. That you can buy on the ruble in different historical periods in this article...