View source for Liechtenstein 1898 5 kronen KM-E2

[[Image:Sincona 100-1073.jpg|550px|thumb|Sincona sale 100, lot 1073]]

This specimen was lot 1073 in Sincona Auction 100 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 11,000 CHF (about US$16,579 including buyers' fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''LIECHTENSTEIN Johann II. 1858-1929. 5 Kronen 1898, Wien. Probe in Silber. Nicht mattierte Ausführung. JOHANN II FÜRST - VON LIECHTENSTEIN Schnauzbärtige Büste des Fürsten nach links, darunter die Stempelschneidersignatur G DELOYE. Rv. Gekröntes Landeswappen zwischen der geteilten Wertangabe auf Lorbeerzweigen, unten die Jahreszahl, rechts "ESSAI". Mit Randschrift. Sehr selten. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. Obschon die Auflagezahl zusammen mit der mattierten Probe angeblich 100 Exemplare betragen soll, ist das Stück wesentlich seltener, als die Auflage dies vermuten lässt. Es sind wohl nur eine Handvoll Exemplare von der mattierten und der nicht mattierten Probe im Handel bekannt, wobei beide Varianten in etwa gleich selten sind. Das durch NGC höchstbewertete Exemplar.'' (principality of [[Liechtenstein]], John II, 1585-1929, five kronen of 1898, Vienna mint, pattern struck in silver. Obverse: mustached bust left, engraver's signature below; reverse: crowned arms between olive branches, date below, "ESSAI" to right. Although the mintage combined with the matte proof is said to be 100 specimens, the coin is much rarer than the mintage would suggest. Only a handful of specimens of the matte and non-matte proof are known to the market, with both variants being equally rare. Very rare. NGC MS63, Magnificent condition, Finest certified by NGC.)"</blockquote> In 1892, Austria reformed her coinage to adopt the system of one corona = 100 heller. The corona was nearly identical to the French franc but was slightly heavier. When the prince of Liechtenstein chose to issue coinage in 1898-1900, he chose the Austrian system as that was where he resided. One, two, five, ten and [[Liechtenstein 1898 20 kronen|twenty kronen]] were minted in Vienna for the tiny state. When this coin went into production in 1900, it was without the engraver's signature below the bust.

''Recorded mintage:'' at most 100.

''Specification:'' 24 g, 0.900 fine silver. 

''Catalog reference:'' KM E2, Divo 92. HMZ 2-1376a. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed.'', Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019. 
* Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, ''Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart,'' Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
* Davenport, John S., ''European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800,'' 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Richter, Jurg, ''SINCONA Auction 100: SINCONA Jubilee Auction'', Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

''Link to:''
* [[Liechtenstein 1898 20 kronen|1898 20 kronen]]
* [[Liechtenstein 1900 krone|1900 krone]]
* [[Liechtenstein 1900 5 kronen|1900 5 kronen]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1898]]

[[Category:Selections from Sincona sale 99, 100, 101, 102]][[Category:European crowns and thalers]]