Saxony 1879-E 2 mark
This specimen was lot 6966 in Künker sale 336 (Osnabruck, Germany, March 2020), where it sold for €5,000 (about US$6,543 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GERMAN COINS SINCE 1871, REICHSSILBERMÜNZEN, SACHSEN, Albert, 1873-1902. 2 Mark 1879. Seltener Jahrgang in außergewöhnlicher Erhaltung. Prachtexemplar. Fast Stempelglanz. (Germany, kingdom of Saxony, Albert, 1873-1902, two mark of 1879. Rare date in this quality, cabinet piece, about uncirculated.)"
The silver two mark replaced the old gulden (10.58 g, 0.900 fine) struck in south Germany prior to unification. This type was struck 1876-80, 1883, 1888 for king Albert. It is somewhat common in worn condition but is scarce choice.
Recorded mintage: 36,110, the key date.
Specification: 11.11 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 1238, J. 121.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Catalog 336: Gold coins from all over the World|German Coins after 1871. Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2020.
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