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Money is far more than just a medium of exchange - it shapes our thinking, our relationships and our society. Anyone who understands its history, rules and changes will discover that we can shape it - and therefore also our future.

I have searched, erred, learned. The secrets of money do not reveal themselves at first glance - but those who recognize them and remain true to them open up paths to wealth that go far beyond the material.

Our teaching and learning materials bring knowledge to life: they combine sound content with illustrative examples and encourage students to explore money and its implications in a curious, critical and practical way.

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First monetary commentary of the modern era, Johannes Adler 1516

Ulrich von Hutten, Booklet of Conversations 1521

Plutarch, Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, 1533

Giovanni Boccaccio, De Mulieribus Claris (100 famous women), 1539

Boethius ... Opera, 1546

Stumpf Chronik, 1549

Plinius, Historiae Mundi Libri Triginta Septem, 1549

Niccolo Machiavelli, Werke, 1550

Organum Aristetolis, 1562

Colloquia Doctor Martini Lutheri, Frankfurt 1567. 

Francesco Petrarca, Trostspiegel, 1572. 

Barthélemy de Chasseneuz, Catalogus Gloriae Mundi, 1579. 

Albrecht Dürer, Über menschliche Proportionen, 1591

Daniel Specklin: Architectura Von Vestungen, 1608

Francesco Tesini, La fortificatione guardia, ...., 1630

Instrumentum Pacis, printed 1648. 

Galileo Galilei, Discorso aal Serenissimo Don Cosimko II, Bologna 1655

Francis Bacon, De augmentis scientiarum Lib IX, 1662

Codex Theodosianus 1665

Nieuhoff, Compagnie Orientale, L'Empereur de la Chine, 1665

Thomas Hobbes, Opera philosophica, Amsterdam 1668

Nimrod, Vollkommene Unterwiesung, wie Raketen, Feuer-, Wasser-, Sturm-Kugeln zubereiten ... 1660

John Ogilby, Asia, 1673

Feuerwerks Neujahrsblätter, 1689-1758

Homann, Neuer Atlas, 1710

Leibniz, The best of all worlds, Theodizee, 1719

Jacob Leupold, Theatrum Machinarium, 1725

Georg von Welling, Tractatus Mago-Cabbalistico-Chymicus, 1729

Herrgott, Genealogiae Diplomaticae Augustae Gentis Habsburgicae, 1737

Rousseau, Contract sociale, 1762

Lavater, Phisiognomie, 4 Bde., 1775

Waser, Geld, 1778

Handschriftlicher Adelsbrief für Leopold Spitzl von Peitzenstein, 1783

Barreme oder vollständiges Rechenbuch, 1813

Conrad Conzett, Nach Amerika!, 1871

Max Weber, The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism, 1904

Goethes Italienische Reise. Edition 1925

The Manessische Liederhandschrift is the most extensive and most famous German song manuscript. It was named by the Swiss scholar Johann Jakob Bodmer after an extensive collection of songs by the Swiss patrician family Manesse. The codex consists of 426 parchment leaves written on both sides and contains poetic works in Middle High German. Gottfried Keller's novella Hadlaub describes the creation of the Manesse song manuscript.

Habsburg became the declared main enemy of Bernese city politics in the 16th century. The chronicle of Petermann Etterlin played a decisive role in this. It was the first chronicle of the entire Confederation to be printed in 1507. With his chronicle, he tried to convince the educated elite of the Confederation that it was better to go to war on the side of the French king than on the side of the Habsburgs. Petermann Etterlin's work is one of the central sources from which the burgeoning nationalism of the 18th century drew its legitimacy.

Adler Johannes, 1516. The period around 1500 was characterized by a great shortage of silver and an enormous increase in the price of this important coinage metal. There were several reasons for this. The number of people was increasing. Their income grew. Trade developed rapidly. The princes were busy debasing coins. Adler wrote that the change of material and weight is only fair if it is made with the consent of those affected. If this did not happen, then the prince who confiscates a coin of full value in order to have it replaced by an inferior coin is also committing fraud. Shortly after his death, the first peasant revolts broke out.

1520, Luther Wucher. What we consider to be a morally neutral matter of course was the subject of heated debate at the beginning of the 16th century. Earning money with capital and without work was the focus of criticism in the 16th century. The common people felt the changes brought about by bourgeois profit maximization. A radical church reformer like Martin Luther found broad support with his sayings: "A Christian gives without expecting anything in return. A Christian lends without charging interest." But perhaps Luther also foresaw the negative effects of the credit economy and called it "the devil's work."

Erasmus is one of the intellectual heroes of humanism.: Erasmus von Rotterdam, who paved the way for the Reformation without ever renouncing his Catholic faith. His admirers are quick to forget that this illegitimate son of a Catholic priest and his housekeeper would never have received the education that made him the man he became without the Church. Erasmus of Rotterdam was one of those who criticized the Catholic Church but did not join the Reformation led by Luther, Zwingli, or Calvin. 1522.

One highlight is the book of Freiherrn von Schwarzenberg of the year 1531, Cicero's most famous work in German. It explains the text with numerous woodcuts, which were a rarity at the time. The book illustrates how people began to understand the new economic demands of the time, in which BUYING AND SELLING dominated economic life.

Euklid's work places great emphasis on deductive reasoning, which means that every statement or theorem is based on previously proven statements. This methodological approach made The Elements a fundamental textbook in mathematics that was in use for over two millennia and formed the basis for the teaching of geometry until the 19th and early 20th centuries. print of 1537.

The "Stumpf Chronicle", also known as the "Swiss Chronicle" by Johannes Stumpf, is an important historical work published in the 16th century. Johannes Stumpf, a Swiss clergyman, historian, and cartographer, published this comprehensive account of Swiss history in 1548. His work is considered one of the most important sources on the history and topography of Switzerland in the early modern period. 

The chronicle is divided into several books covering different periods and topics. It begins with the legendary founding of Switzerland and continues with a description of the phases of expansion and conflict of the Swiss Confederation. Stumpf emphasizes the importance of federal freedom and independence and presents the development of the Swiss Confederation in the context of European powers. 

The Imperial Coinage Ordinance, which was issued in the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Charles V, represents an important milestone in the history of European coinage systems. Its aim was to standardize and stabilize the coinage system in the empire. The Imperial Coinage Ordinance of 1524 attempted to establish the principles and standards for coinage throughout the empire. 1551.

Francesco Petrarca, an Italian scholar and poet of the 14th century, is a key figure of the early Renaissance and is particularly known for his poetry as well as his letters and philosophical treatises. In this work, Petrarch examines how people can react to happiness and misfortune and offers philosophical reflections and advice on how to deal with the ups and downs of life. The Mirror of Consolation demonstrates Petrarch's humanist thinking by emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and reason in the search for a good and ethical life. 1572.

Huldrych Zwingli, ein Schweizer Reformator des 16. Jahrhunderts, spielte eine zentrale Rolle in der frühen protestantischen Reformation in der Schweiz. Seine "Methodus" ist ein theologisches Dokument, das als "Commentarius de vera et falsa religione" (Kommentar über die wahre und falsche Religion) bekannt ist. Obwohl Zwingli für viele Schriften und Predigten bekannt ist, in denen er seine reformatorischen Ideen ausführte, ist die "Methodus" besonders hervorzuheben, da sie seine theologischen Überzeugungen und seine Kritik an der katholischen Kirche seiner Zeit systematisch darlegt. Die "Methodus" spiegelt Zwinglis reformatorische Überzeugung wider, dass die Kirche zu ihren biblischen Wurzeln zurückkehren müsse, um eine wahre christliche Gemeinschaft zu bilden. 1577.

Johannes de Sacro Bosco, also known as John of Holywood, was a 13th-century English scholar best known for his astronomical work De Sphaera Mundi (On the Sphere of the World). Written in the early 13th century, this textbook on astronomy became one of the most widely read and taught books on the subject in the late Middle Ages and early modern period. The work provides an introduction to the basic concepts of astronomy based on Ptolemy's geocentric view of the world. It explains the structure of the universe, the movements of the celestial bodies, and the theory of spheres. 1581.

1582. From the End of the World.  A pamphlet by Nikolaus Winkler (1529–1613) provides information about the level of discussion on astronomy among citizens of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century. The title of his brochure is: Considerations on the future change of the world order and the end of the world in the years from 1583 to 1588 and 1589 based on the Holy Scriptures. Winkler's work is interesting for today's readers because it shows what astronomical knowledge an author could assume his target audience, the educated bourgeoisie, had. His readers were familiar with the concept of conjunction, i.e., the apparent meeting of two celestial bodies, and knew the names of the planets and the most important signs of the zodiac. Apocalypses were popular at the time.

1591 Budelius. De Monetis. Reinier Budel was a 16th-century lawyer and scholar best known for his work De Monetis. Published in 1591, this book is a comprehensive treatise on coins, currency, and monetary policy. Budelius's work is considered one of the earliest significant contributions to numismatics and economic theory.

Diogenes Laertios was an ancient Greek historian who probably lived in the 3rd century AD. He is best known for his work “On the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers.” This work is one of the few sources that informs us about the lives and teachings of many ancient philosophers, from Thales to Epicurus, and includes information on almost all important philosophers of antiquity. 1593.

Albrecht Dürer, an outstanding German Renaissance artist known for his paintings, prints, and theoretical works, he also made significant contributions to art theory, including his work on symmetry and proportion. These include “Four Books on Human Proportion,” published posthumously in 1528. In these works, Dürer explores the mathematical ratios of the human body and explains how they can be applied in art to create harmonious and aesthetically pleasing works. 1594.

1617 Basilii Magnum Opera. Basil the Great, also known as Basil of Caesarea, was an influential Christian bishop of the 4th century AD and one of the three Cappadocian Fathers, along with Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa. His work and writings had a significant influence on the development of Christian theology, particularly in relation to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and monastic practice. Basil's “Opera” (works) include a variety of theological, ascetic, and pastoral writings that are still valued today in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.

1620 Plutarch Chaeronensis. Plutarch of Chaironeia, often referred to simply as Plutarch, was a Greek writer and philosopher of the first century AD, known for his biographical works and moral treatises. He lived from about 45 to 120 AD and was an influential thinker of the Roman Empire.

1620 Plutarch Renensis. Plutarch saw himself as a biographer, not a historian. He wrote: "For I am not a historian, but a biographer, and it is not always the great deeds that reveal a man's ability or depravity. Often an insignificant incident, a remark, or a joke reveals more about a person's character than the bloodiest battles, the largest armies, and the sieges of cities."

1633 Constitutio Criminalis Handschrift. Die "Constitutio Criminalis Theresiana" oder einfach "Theresiana" ist eine bedeutende rechtshistorische Quelle, die unter der Herrschaft von Maria Theresia, der Erzherzogin von Österreich und Königin von Ungarn und Böhmen, im 18. Jahrhundert entstand. Sie wurde 1768 proklamiert und stellt eine umfassende Kodifikation des Strafrechts dar, die für die habsburgischen Länder Gültigkeit hatte. Dieses Dokument spiegelt die Rechtsauffassungen und die Justizpraxis seiner Zeit wider und ist ein Beispiel für die Bemühungen um Rechtsreformen im Zeitalter der Aufklärung.

Conrad Gessner's Historiae animalium (History of Animals), commonly known as his “Thierbuch” (Book of Animals), is an important work in the history of natural history and science. Published in the 16th century, it is considered one of the earliest attempts to document the entire animal kingdom in an encyclopedic format. Gessner, a Swiss physician and naturalist, sought to collect, systematize, and expand the knowledge of his time about animals. The work is remarkable not only for its scope and detail, but also for the numerous woodcuts illustrating the animals described. First edition between 1551 and 1558.

Teil I: Mammals and birds. 1645

Teil II: Fish and reptiles. 1645

1645-1758 Neujahrsblätter. New Year's sheets were popular in Zurich in the 17th and 18th centuries. They represent a fascinating chapter in the history of educational and cultural practices. The aim of this tradition was to educate and inform young people through moral and instructive content. The sheets were usually published at the beginning of the new year and quickly spread among the population. The tradition of New Year's sheets declined in the 19th century as the printing and publishing industry developed and new forms of literature and learning materials became popular. The individual sheets feature beautiful copperplate engravings.

1648 Pacis (German pages). The Peace of 1648, better known as the Peace of Westphalia, marked the end of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), one of the most devastating conflicts in European history, as well as the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Netherlands. The Peace of Westphalia consists of a series of peace treaties signed in the cities of Münster and Osnabrück in the Holy Roman Empire. These treaties had far-reaching political, religious, and territorial implications and are considered the cornerstones of modern state sovereignty and international law.

1650 Merian Bohemia. Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650) was a Swiss-German engraver and publisher known for his detailed cityscapes and maps. His work on Bohemia, a historical region in what is now the Czech Republic, is part of his extensive collection of engravings published in the various volumes of his “Topographia Germaniae.” This collection includes detailed views and plans of cities, villages, and landscapes from many parts of Europe, including Bohemia.

1654 Merian Helvetia et Rhetia (illustrations). Matthäus Merian the Elder, an outstanding copperplate engraver and publisher of the 17th century, also created a remarkable collection of views and maps depicting the regions of Helvetia (present-day Switzerland) and Raetia (a region comprising parts of present-day Switzerland, Austria, and Italy). These works are part of his larger series “Topographia Germaniae,” an extensive collection of city views, maps, and topographies of various parts of Europe that was published throughout the 17th century.

1662 Agricola Metallica. Georgius Agricola, born Georg Bauer (1494–1555), was a German scientist and is often considered the father of mineralogy. His most famous work, “De re metallica libri XII” (On Mining and Metallurgy in Twelve Books), published in 1556, is a comprehensive treatise on mining and the extraction and processing of metals. This book is considered one of the most important works on mining and metallurgy to the modern day. The work is known for its numerous and detailed woodcuts illustrating mining equipment, techniques, and processes.

1759 Conrade Meyer Dance of Death. When was the last time you saw a skeleton? As a personification of death, skeletons hardly play a role in our Western culture anymore. Even in times of coronavirus, the memento mori – remember that you are mortal – has given way to a repression of death. Today, dying takes place alone in hospitals. That is why the dance of death has become foreign to us. It is an artistic motif that originated around 1400. A skeleton, as the personification of death, leads members of various social classes as dance partners in a round dance. Here in beautiful copperplate engravings by the Zurich copperplate engraver Conrad Meyer.

1665 Nieuhoff. Johann Nieuhoff was a Dutch traveler and author best known for his detailed accounts of China in the 17th century. Nieuhoff was born in 1618 and died in 1672. He traveled to China as a member of a Dutch East India Company (VOC) embassy, which lasted from 1655 to 1657. His work, often titled “The Embassy of the East India Company of the United Netherlands to the Tartar Cham, and now also to the Chinese Emperor” or, more briefly, “The Embassy to China,” offers one of the earliest and most detailed European descriptions of China and its people, customs, culture, and geographical and urban landscapes.

1670 Annales Trevirenses. The Annales Trevirenses, or Trier Annals, are a medieval chronicle documenting the history of the city of Trier and its surroundings. These annals are part of the medieval annalistic genre, which lists events by year and records important political, ecclesiastical, and social occurrences. The Trier Annals cover a period from the early Middle Ages to the High Middle Ages in various versions and continuations.

1673 Ogilby Asia, Mongolia, India. John Ogilby published a description of India and Persia in 1673. He was right on trend. India was all the rage, especially when it came to investment. Every wealthy Londoner was wondering whether they should invest in shares in the East India Company. After all, it had a monopoly on trade with the Far East. And India, so they said, was an incredibly rich country...

1676 Savary Le Parfait Negociant. Jacques Savary des Brûlons' work “Le Parfait Négociant” (The Perfect Merchant), first published in 1675, is considered one of the most important works of early economic literature and commercial law. Jacques Savary, a French merchant and economist, wrote this comprehensive handbook based on the experience and knowledge of his father, Jacques Savary, who was himself an experienced merchant and the author of the original “Le Parfait Négociant.” This book provides detailed guidance for merchants of the 17th century.

1677 Münz-Gespräch. In the 17th century, coinage was a central issue in Europe, shaped by the need to standardize trade, combat inflation, and secure the financing of states and their wars. Debates about coinage often concerned the minting and value of coins, the impact of precious metal imports from the New World, and the challenges posed by coin debasement and counterfeiting.

René Descartes' Werk "De Homine" was published posthumously in 1662. This work was originally intended to be part of his more comprehensive philosophical investigation, which began with the Discourse on Method in 1637, in which Descartes presented his famous methodological skepticism and the statement “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). “De Homine” is particularly significant for Descartes' views on human physiology and the relationship between body and mind.

Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) was an Italian Renaissance architect whose works and writings had a profound influence on Western architectural history. Born Andrea di Pietro della Gondola in Padua, he was given the name “Palladio” by his mentor, the humanist and poet Gian Giorgio Trissino, who recognized in him an architectural talent similar to that of the ancient Greek painter Pausias. 1698.

With around 600 publications, Abraham a Sancta Clara is one of the most important and best-known preachers of his time. His most famous work is the three-volume Etwas für Alle (Something for Everyone), which has been reprinted many times to this day. In it, the writing monk offered admonitions and moral edification to countless professions known at the time. The book is particularly appreciated for its illustrations, which realistically depict the everyday life of the professional groups addressed.

1699 Abraham (Images)

1699 Abraham (Digitalsat)

1712 Speckling Architetura von Festungen. At the beginning of the 18th century, fortification construction was strongly influenced by the work of French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, who is considered one of the most influential fortification architects. Vauban's methods and designs shaped European fortification construction and were discussed and analyzed in many theoretical writings on military architecture.

1713 Wilkins Vertheidiger Copernicus. John Wilkins was an advocate of the scientific method and had a keen interest in astronomy. He was known for his work supporting the ideas of Nicolaus Copernicus, who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe—the theory that the sun, not the Earth, is at the center of our solar system.

1716 Der Wechsel. "Introduction to Bills of Exchange" by Johann Kaspar Herbach is a historical work that deals with the subject of trade and bills of exchange. As early as the High Middle Ages, resourceful merchants had realized that cash alone was not enough. Therefore, an alternative to cash developed at the end of the 12th century: the bill of exchange. It was a useful means of cashless payment and at the same time made it possible to grant loans without violating the church's prohibition on interest. During the 16th century, bills of exchange spread throughout Europe.

1725 Theatrum Machinarum Leupold. "Theatrum Machinarum" refers to a series of works on machines and engineering published in Europe during the early modern period and the Enlightenment. A prominent publication is the "Theatrum Machinarum Generale" by Jacob Leupold, an 18th-century German mechanic and engineer. This extensive work is part of Leupold's larger project to create an encyclopedic overview of all the technical knowledge of his time.

1728 Pemberton Newton. Henry Pemberton (1694–1771) is known for his role in publishing the third edition of Isaac Newton's "Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica," which appeared in 1726. As an English physician, mathematician, and astronomer, Pemberton played a key role in the scientific community of his time. His close collaboration with Newton in preparing this edition of the "Principia" earned him recognition in academic circles.

1743 Buchdruckkunst. The art of printing revolutionized the way knowledge was disseminated and preserved. It is generally attributed to Johannes Gutenberg, who perfected movable metal type in Mainz, Germany, around 1440. Before Gutenberg's invention, books were copied by hand, which made them expensive, time-consuming to produce, and therefore rare. Gutenberg's innovation consisted of several key technologies: movable metal type, a printing press based on older agricultural presses, ink that would adhere to metal, and a system for producing many identical letters. The art of printing is not only a technical revolution, but also a cultural one that has shaped the development of the modern world in many ways. It remains a key moment in the history of communication, the effects of which can still be felt today.

1746 Herrliberger Heilige Ceremonien. Herrliberger trained as an engraver with the Zurich painter and etcher Johann Melchior Füssli. In 1736, Herrliberger moved to Zurich, settling on Bleicherweg; he later lived on Bärengasse (now the Museum Bärengasse). At the age of 40, David Herrliberger began his extensive publishing career, working as an illustrator, engraver, and publisher all in one. The years between 1738 and 1758 represent the peak of David Herrliberger's creative output. During this period, his most important published works appeared, including: "Ceremonien-Werk" (church customs), "Landvogteischlösser" (bailiffs' castles), "Amtshäuser" (official residences), "Adelige Schlösser" (noble castles), "Ehrentempel" (famous Swiss people), Zurich and Basel "Ausruff-Bilder" (proclamation pictures), "Zürcherische Kleider-Trachten" (Zurich costumes) and the beginning of "Topographie der Eydgnoschaft" (Topography of the Swiss Confederation).

1755 La Fontaine Fables. The fables of Jean de La Fontaine, a 17th-century French poet, are a collection of stories that have become famous for their moral lessons, the elegance of their verses, and the diversity of their characters. Originally published in several volumes, with the first edition appearing in 1668, La Fontaine's fables comprise a total of 12 books containing over 240 fables drawn from a variety of sources, including classical Greek and Roman literature as well as contemporary and folk tales.

1747 Leu Eidgenössisches Lexikon. The "Allgemeine Helvetische, Eydgenössische, oder Schweitzerische Lexicon" (General Helvetic, Confederative, or Swiss Lexicon) is a comprehensive historical and geographical reference work on Switzerland, written by Johann Jakob Leu. It provides detailed information on the geographical, political, and cultural aspects of the Swiss cantons, their cities and municipalities, as well as important personalities, families, and events in Swiss history. It is a monumental work that had a significant impact on the intellectual landscape of Switzerland in the 18th century. It reflects the spirit of the Enlightenment, which was characterized by an increased interest in the systematic collection, classification, and dissemination of knowledge.

1756 Ferguson. Astronomy. James Ferguson (1710–1776) was a Scottish astronomer and self-taught scholar who was known for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience. His book Astronomy Explained Upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles was one of the most influential works explaining the principles of Newtonian astronomy in a form understandable to laypeople.

1757 von Haller Albert Elementa Physiologiae. Albrecht von Haller (1708–1777) was a Swiss anatomist, physiologist, and poet who is considered one of the founders of modern physiology. His most important scientific work is Elementa Physiologiae Corporis Humani (Elements of Human Physiology), a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicine and physiology published in eight volumes between 1757 and 1766. 

1758 Abhandlung von Manufaktoren und Fabriken, Gottlob von Justi. Johann Heinrich Gottlob von Justi was an important economist of the 18th century who dealt extensively with issues of state economics, mining, and national economics in his works. His "Treatise on Manufactures and Factories" is one of his best-known works and plays an important role in the history of economic thought, particularly in the context of mercantilist and cameralist theories of economic policy. His ideas reflect the mercantilist view that a state's wealth can be increased through active trade balance policies and state promotion of production.

1765 Bions Mathematische Werkschule. Bion's works provide detailed instructions on the construction and use of various scientific instruments, making them valuable resources for the practical application of mathematical and scientific principles. They are often richly illustrated with detailed drawings of the instruments, which aid in understanding their operation and construction. Bion emphasized the mathematical foundations behind the instruments in order to explain their accuracy and effectiveness.

1776 Adam Smith. Adam Smith's famous work "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" is usually known simply as "The Wealth of Nations." First published in English and German in 1776, this book is considered one of the fundamental works of classical economics and marked a turning point in the history of economic thought. Adam Smith, a Scottish philosopher and economist, laid the foundations for modern economics with this work.

1783 Adelsbrief. Letters patent from the 18th century are historical documents issued by a sovereign power to confer a title of nobility on a person or family. This practice was widespread in Europe and played an important role in the social and political structure of the time. Letters patent not only documented elevation to the nobility, but often also specified the specific privileges, rights, and duties of the new noble. 

1798 Wechselencyclopodädie. A "General Encyclopedia of Bills of Exchange" is a reference work dealing with the subject of bill of exchange law. Such works were common in the 18th century, a period of flourishing trade and the development of modern banking.

Die "Elements of Euclid" from 1947 refer to the "Elements" of the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, a mathematical and geometric textbook consisting of 13 books and considered one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics. The "Elements" provide a systematic presentation of Euclidean geometry and number theory and have shaped mathematical thinking for centuries.

A notable contribution from this period comes from the Irish mathematician Oliver Byrne, who published a color-illustrated edition of "The First Six Books of The Elements of Euclid" in 1847. Byrne's edition is particularly known for its innovative use of color to represent geometric figures and proofs, which represents a clear departure from traditional black-and-white illustrations. Byrne's goal was to make Euclid's proofs more intuitive and accessible through visual means.

The Bremer Presse was a renowned German publishing house founded in Munich in 1911 and active until 1934. The publishing house was known for its high-quality printed products, especially its carefully produced books, which were often limited editions with handcrafted bindings and special typographic designs. Bremer Presse placed great emphasis on the aesthetic quality and artistic execution of its publications, publishing both modern and classic works of literature.

"Faust II" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, published in 1832, it is the second part of the Faust project and is considered one of the most important works of German literature. This five-act drama continues the story of Heinrich Faust, a scholar who strives for knowledge and personal fulfillment. Unlike the first part, which focuses on Faust's personal crises and his relationship with Gretchen, "Faust II" broadens the focus to a broader, allegorical, and philosophical level.

The first act takes place at the emperor's court, where Faust and Mephistopheles play different roles. Faust cures the emperor of his melancholy by conjuring up the spirit of Greek beauty, Helen. Meanwhile, Mephistopheles helps the emperor solve his financial worries by introducing paper money, a reflection on the value of money and the nature of the economy.

Each of these 20 coins is a key to a special era, a turning point in history or a surprising insight into power, trade and culture. Those who know them understand history in a new and fascinating way.