Numismatics

The world's most popular cryptocurrency continues to set historic highs this week. Bitcoin cracked the $1500 barrier on Thursday.

Bitcoin was trading at $1,515 against the US dollar at 2:00pm GMT, retreating from the day's high of $1,544.43, according to the CoinDesk price index. The digital currency has gained more than 32 percent during the past two weeks.

Bitcoin has established itself as an alternative means of payment in the digital world. But what to do when you want to convert your virtual coins into real world bills (or the other way round)? Consult your nearest Bitcoin ATM! Here’s a list of countries with the most machines installed. If you live in the United States the coverage is best.

The Turkish Lira rebounded on Jan. 12 as dollar weakness helped it move off record lows while emerging stocks rose to two-month highs, led by strong gains in Russia and some Asian bourses.

At the time of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, the American continent had been discovered but there was no American state or dollar. The Ottomans, who ruled from the Atlantic Ocean to the gates of Vienna, had an extremely serious "money" issue.  

The Egyptian pound is trading in banks at around 16 to the dollar, down from the 13-pound peg the Central Bank set as a guiding exchange rate when it floated the currency last week.

Banks were selling the U.S. currency at 16 pounds while buying it at around 15.5 pounds on Nov. 6, the first full business day in Egypt since the Central Bank floated the currency on Nov. 3. 

The Turkish Lira slipped to a historic low against the U.S. dollar as anticipation of a rate hike from the Federal Reserve saw the American currency appreciate across the globe on Oct. 28 

Analysts also link the negative trend to escalating political concerns, as hostilities in Syria and Iraq increase. 

The lira dipped to 3.1270 against the U.S. dollar at 08.30 GMT.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked by Greek officials if Athens could print drachmas in Russia, Francois Hollande has acknowledged in a new book in which the French president claims that the Greek request came a day after the nation's bailout referendum on July 5, 2015.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Oct. 10 asked once again the Security Council to formally request that the International Criminal Court (ICC) begin investigations of war crimes in Syria.
Such a request was blocked in 2014 by Russia and China, which have veto powers, but Ban said the council should try again.

BELGRADE - French President Francois Hollande has suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of Syria's second city Aleppo, BBC reports.

Mr Hollande told French TV this could take place in the International Criminal Court (ICC). He also said he might refuse to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit France next week.

Japanese archaeologists said Sept. 28 they have for the first time unearthed ancient Roman coins at the ruins of an old castle.