East Germany 1985-A 20 mark
This specimen was lot 74662 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $125. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. West/East Germany. Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Ernst Moritz 20 Mark, 1985-A. Berlin Mint. NGC MS-67. A gorgeous Gem, with silky luster and remarkable rainbow toning on both sides." Wikipedia comments,
"Ernst Moritz Arndt (1769-1860) was a German nationalist historian, writer and poet. Early in his life, he fought for the abolition of serfdom, later against Napoleonic dominance over Germany. Arndt had to flee to Sweden for some time due to his anti-French positions. He is one of the main founders of German nationalism during the Napoleonic wars and the 19th century movement for German unification. Long after his death, his anti-French propaganda was used again, in both World Wars. This, together with some strongly antisemitic and anti-Polish statements, has led to a highly critical view of Arndt today."
Recorded mintage: 41,000 plus 4,000 proofs.
Specification: 20.92 g, 0.500 fine silver, 33 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-105; J-1605.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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