Prussia 1888-A 20 mark Fr-3830

Heritage sale 3015, lot 24798

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

This specimen was lot 24798 in Heritage sale 3015 (Long Beach, September 2011), where it sold for $1,840. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Prussia. Wilhelm II gold 20 Mark 1888A, Proof 63 PCGS, flashy mirror surfaces with harvest gold patina, very appealing. From The Pikes Peak Collection." This coin is a two year type issued at the beginning of the reign of William II as king of Prussia and Emperor of Germany. The old king, William, died in March after a 27 year reign, by which time Frederick was already dying of throat cancer. Frederick died in June and William II succeeded him, to rule until the collapse of the regime in the throes of World War One. 1888 is known as the "Dreikaisersjahr," or "Year of the Three Emperors." Even so, this type is more obtainable than many dates of KM 521 which used a redesigned reverse.

Recorded mintage: 756,000 plus proofs.

Specification: 7.965 g, .900 fine gold, .230 troy oz AGW, lettered edge.

Catalog reference: Fr-3830, KM 516.

Source:

• 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.
• Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3015, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.

Link to:

• 1888 2 mark, Friedrich III
• 1888 2 mark, Wilhelm II
• 1888-A 10 mark, Wilhelm I
• 1888-A 10 mark, Friedrich III
• 1888-A 20 mark (Wilhelm I)
• 1888-A 20 mark, Friedrich III
• 1889-A 20 mark
• Coins and currency dated 1888
• return to coins of German States, Prussia