Hesse 1888-A 2 mark
This specimen was lot 2323 in Sincona sale 23 (Zürich, May 2015), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,068 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Hessen, Grossherzogtum, Ludwig IV. 1877-1892 2 Mark 1888. Berlin R Schön-sehr schön. (grand duchy of Hesse, Louis IV (1877-92), two mark of 1888, Berlin mint, rare, fine to very fine.)"
Normally, two mark are less avidly collected than the larger five mark but this rare type is an exception, being expensive in all grades. This grand duchy was previously called Hesse-Darmstadt to distinguish it from Hesse-Cassel but upon the latter's annexation by Prussia in 1866, the "-Darmstadt" was dropped.
Recorded mintage: 22,350 plus 500 proofs.
Specification: 11.11 g, 0.900 fine silver, 28 mm diameter, this specimen 10.99 g.
Catalog reference: J. 68. KM 359.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 23, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
Link to:
- 1888-J pfennig
- 1888-A 20 pfennig
- 1888-G 20 pfennig
- 1888 5 mark
- Baden 1888-G 2 mark
- Bavaria 1888-D 2 mark
- Hamburg 1888-J 2 mark
- Prussia 1888-A 2 mark KM-511
- Saxony 1888-E 2 mark
- 1888 10 mark
- Wurttemberg 1888-F 2 mark
- 1891 2 mark
- Oldenburg 1891-A 2 mark
- Coins and currency dated 1888
- return to coins of German States, Hesse-Darmstadt