Yuan
Yuan. The Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) was the Mongol imperial dynasty that ruled China for almost a hundred years, founded by Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, which became renowned as the first foreign dynasty to…
Numismatic encyclopaedia
The AUREA numismatic encyclopaedia explains the terms you meet in catalogues and in the saleroom — obverse and reverse, fineness and hallmarks, grades of preservation, starting price, bid increment and auctioneer. Besides terminology it carries entries on rulers, mints and the historical events that shaped what was struck. Entries are arranged alphabetically and cross-linked.
Yuan
Yuan. The yuan is the basic monetary unit of the People's Republic of China, commonly referred to also as the "Chinese yuan". In everyday payments coins and banknotes are used, with the unit being divided into smaller…
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia was the state of the South Slavs in the Balkans from 1918 to 1992 (the rump Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until 2003, Serbia and Montenegro until 2006). It began as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and…
Zdeněk Kolářský
Zdeněk Kolářský (1931–2022) was a Czech academic sculptor and medallist, designer of circulation and commemorative coins and of hundreds of medals. His work is marked by sharp outlines and geometrically, at times…
Zecchino
Zecchino. Zecchino is the original Italian name for the Venetian ducat, the famous gold trade coin of the Republic of Venice. It was first struck from 1284 and, thanks to its high purity and stable parameters, became…
Zeman (yeoman, lesser noble)
Zeman. The zeman is a historical noble title designating a member of the lesser nobility with their own landed property, which in mediaeval Bohemia, Poland and other Slavic lands represented a free owner of land with…
Zeus
Zeus. Zeus is the supreme god of Greek mythology, ruler of the sky and thunder and at the same time guardian of order, oaths and hospitality. In myths he appears as the "father" of many gods and heroes, and his…
Zinc
Zinc. Zinc is a chemical element (symbol Zn) and a whitish, relatively soft metal which in the air quickly becomes covered with a protective layer of oxides and compounds. In industry it is used mainly to protect steel…
Zlatka
Zlatka. Zlatka was the popular name for the Austro-Hungarian paper banknote denominated 1 gulden (zlatý), which was in everyday use in the Czech lands in the second half of the 19th century. The term took hold in…
Zlatník
Zlatník. The zlatník is a historical monetary term and at the same time the name of a coin associated with a value of 60 kreuzer, used in Central Europe particularly in the Habsburg lands. In the Czech environment the…
Złoty
Złoty. The złoty is the Polish currency and at the same time a historical name for coins which in different periods related to different denominations. Today's Polish złoty is the basic monetary unit of Poland, divided…