East Germany 1971 20 mark KM-32

Jean Elsen sale 120, lot 1080

This specimen was part of lot 1080 in Jean Elsen sale 120 (Brussels, March 2014), which sold for €100 (about US$165 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ALLEMAGNE, République démocratique, lot de 2 p.: 20 Mark 1971, Karl Liebknecht et Rosa Luxemburg; 10 Mark 1972, Heinrich Heine. J. 1533, 1542. Fleur de Coin. (Democratic Republic of Germany, lot of two pieces, twenty mark of 1971, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, and twenty mark of 1972, Heinrich Heine. Uncirculated)"

This issue from the Communist regime of East Germany commemorates the centennial of the birth of activist and troublemaker Rosa Luxemburg. This standard was used for several commemoratives issued 1966-90. A number of copper-nickel types were also issued for circulation.

Specification: 20.9 g, .625 fine silver, .420 troy oz ASW, edge lettered 20 MARK.

Mintage: 100,000 plus a few proofs.

Catalog reference: KM 32.

Source:

• 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]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 120, Brussels: Jean Elsen & ses Fils, S.A., 2014.

Link to:

• 1966 20 mark, 250th anniversary of the death of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
• 1968 20 mark, Karl Marx
• East Germany 1970 10 mark, Ludwig van Beethoven
• East Germany 1971-A 5 mark, Brandenburg Gate
• 1978 5 mark, Klopstock
• 1987-A 20 mark, founding of Berlin
• return to coins of Germany, East Germany
• Coins and currency dated 1971