Hesse 1895-A 5 mark
The first specimen was lot 3948 in Sincona sale 9 (Zürich, October 2012), where it sold for 900 CHF (about US$1,138 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Hessen, Grossherzogtum Münzstätte Darmstadt bis 1880, danach Berlin Ernst Ludwig, 1892-1918. 5 Mark 1895. Vorzüglich-gutes vorzüglich. (Grand duchy of Hesse, Ernest Louis, 1892-1918, five mark of 1895, Berlin mint, extremely fine to good extremely fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 23880 in Heritage sale 3020 (Long Beach, September 2012), where it sold for $616.88. The catalog description[2] noted, "Hesse-Darmstadt. Ernst Ludwig 5 Mark 1895-A, AU Details NGC surface hairlines, dark charcoal gray toning, very little wear evident but the fields are dulled from an old-time cleaning. Scarce type." This five mark piece was issued from the Berlin mint for the grand duke in 1895 and 1898-1900. This type is rather scarce.
Recorded mintage: 39,000 plus 200 proofs.
Specification: 27.77 g, 0.900 fine silver, 38 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: J. 73, KM 369, Dav-711.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 9, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
- [2]Tucker, Warren, and Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage Signature Auction 3020: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2012.
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