Prussia 1879-A 20 mark
This specimen was lot 1562 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €675 (about US$780 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, PRUSSE, Wilhelm Ier (1861-1888), AV 20 Mark, 1879 A. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, William I, 1861-88, gold twenty mark of 1879. Very Fine.)"
The first twenty mark was struck 1871-73 in substantial numbers from the Berlin (mintmark "A"), Hannover (mintmark "B") and Frankfurt (mintmark "C") mints. It was superseded in 1874 by this type with a revised reverse. There is a concurrent ten mark gold piece with a similar design. This is a common date and this example realized less than the bullion value.
Recorded mintage: 1,023,126.
Specification: 7.96 g, 0.900 fine gold, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 505, J. 246; A.K.S. 110; Fr-3816.
- 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.
- 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 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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