Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1901-A 20 mark
This specimen was lot 30045 in Heritage sale 3041 (Chicago, August 2015), where it sold for $19,975. The catalog description[1] noted, "An Exceptional Gem Proof 20 Mark of Friedrich Franz IV. Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Friedrich Franz IV gold Proof 1901-A 20 Mark PR66 Cameo NGC, Berlin mint, Mintage: 200. One-year type. An extremely rare coin, and the only thus far certified, with examples in this coveted proof format rarely showing up in German auctions, let alone those in the U.S. The present example, unquestionably among the choicest extant, is truly a marvel to behold. Vividly toned in a most-pleasing fashion, the underlying surface quality is nothing short of Gem, with undisturbed mirrors in the fields and raised design elements that are clearly frosted, providing a lovely cameo effect to the appearance. For accuracy's sake, a microscopic tick is noted on Friedrich Franz's cheek, but otherwise the surfaces qualify as pristine to the eye. Seldom, if ever, rivaled in terms of overall condition, and given the low mintage and single-year status of the type, a quality that should generate previously unrivaled demand for the issue. From The Kaiser Collection of German Gold Coins." 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. The gold issues of this locale are scanty and rare.
Recorded mintage: 5,000 plus 200 proofs.
Specification: 7.97 g, 0.900 fine gold, .229 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 332, Jaeger-234.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World & Ancient Coins Auction 3041, featuring the Eric Beckman Collection of Canadian Coins, the Kaiser Collection of German Gold Coins and the Rudman Collection of Mexican Coins, Part I, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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