Bavaria 1878-D 10 mark
This specimen was lot 1856 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €220 (about US$286 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, BAVIERE, Ludwig II (1864-1886), AV 10 Mark, 1878 D. presque Très Beau. (Germany, kingdom of Bavaria, Louis II, 1864-86, gold ten mark of 1878. about Very Fine.)"
King Ludwig II ruled until 1886, when he was deposed in favor of his brother. Disliked for his extravagance and his homosexuality, he died soon after under very mysterious circumstances. This type was struck 1874-81. Several German states issued gold five mark in 1877 but the denomination was abandoned in favor of a silver five mark, gold being restricted to ten and twenty mark pieces. This date is common.
Reported Mintage: 637,876.
Specification: 3.98 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 898, J. 196; A.K.S. 192; Fr-3766.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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