TRIVIA: Special Coinage Issued by the German State - Anhalt-Dessau - 1914

Special coinage issued by the German State Anhalt-Dessau - 1914

In 1871 Friedrich I, became Grand Duke (Prince) of the Duchy of Anhalt-Dissau. In 1889, his son, Freidrich II, wed a noble woman named Marie Sophie.

Here's a Color painting of Marie Sophie:

PAINTING OF MARIE SOPHIE

Herer's a B-W painting of Frederich II in royal garb:

BLACK-WHITE PAINTING - GRAND DUKE FRIEDRICH II

Friedrich I died in 1904 and Friedrich II was sworn in as Duke later in the year.

In those days minor coinage circulating in the 26 German States (4 kingdoms, 6 grand duchies, 12 duchies and principalities, 3 free cities and the nonautonomous province Alsace-Lorraine) were struck by the German Empire's mints. The 26 so-called German States were only authorized to strike coins comprised of gold or silver in denominations of 1 Mark or higher.

Under the reign of Friedrich I, a silver 2 Marks coin was minted each year from 1871 through 1896, struck by the Berlin Mint, and again in 1901 and 1904. The coins measure 28mm in diameter and weigh 0.3215 ounce ASW. He also authorized the Berlin Mint to strike the following pieces in 1904; a silver (0.8037 oz. ASW) 5 Marks piece measuring 38mm, a gold 10 Marks (20,000 business strikes and 200 proofs) weighing in at 0.1152 oz. AGW and a gold 20 Marks (15,000 for circulation and 200 proofs) weighing 0.2305 oz.

Here's Friedrich I's 1896 Silver 5 Mark piece (Coin Archives photo):ANHALT-DESSAU 1896 SILVER 5 MARK - FRIEDRICH I

Friedrich I authorized the striking of the gold 20 Marks from 1871 through 1904. Here's a photo courtesy of Coin Archives:

ANHALT-DESSAU 1896 GOLD 20 MARK -FRIEDRICH I

When Friedrich II assumed his duties, he immediately authorized the issue of a silver 28mm (2 Marks) coin weighing in at 0.2305 oz. AGW) The Berlin Mint produced 50,000 coins for circulation and another 150 proofs. He, also, had the Berlin Mint strike a 20 Marks (25,000 circulation - 200 proofs) gold coin weighing 0.2305 oz. AGW.

Here's a photo of the 1904 Silver 2 Mark (Coin Archives Photo):

ANHALT-DESSAU 1904 SILVER 2 MARKS - FRIEDRICH II?

Here's a photo of the 1904 gold 20 Marks courtesy of Coin Archives:


ANHALT-DESSAU 1904 GOLD 20 FRANKS - FRIEDRICH II

Friedrich II did not authorize another coin until 1909. He authorized the Berlin Mint to strike 100,000 for circulation plus an unknown amount as proofs. The coin has a face value of 3 Marks, measures 33mm and weighs 0.4823 ounces ASW.

Here's a photo of the 1909 3 Marks of Friedrich II courtesy of Coin Archives:

ANHALT-DESAU 1909 SILVER 3 MARKS- FRIEDRICH II

Another 3 Marks was produced in 1911 under the same specifications.

1914 was an important milestone to Friedrich II. It was the Silver (25 years) Anniversary of his marriage to Marie. He authorized two special coins to fete the event;

Both coins featured his and Marie's likenesses on the obverse of each coin. The okay was given for Jugate heads style facing left.

One coin issued for the occasion is a 33mm 3 Marks (200,000 plus 1,000 proofs) silver (0.4823 oz. ASW) coin. Here's a photograph of the coin courtesy of worldcoingallery.com

1914 3 MARKS - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The other coin is a 38mm silver (0.8037 oz. ASW) 5 Marks (65,000 circulation - unknown number of proofs).Here's a photo courtesy of Coin Archives:

ANHALT-DESSAU 1914 SILVER 5 MARK - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Thought you'd like to know...

Clinker

 

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Hmm, was that Part 1 of a German States series? Alphabetically Anhalt was the first state. By the way, the official name of the duchy was simply Anhalt, as in 1860 or so Anhalt-Dessau took the other Anhalts (which had no throne heirs) over, so to say. Today the area is part of the Federal Republic's state of Saxony-Anhalt.

The German Empire's states issued silver (2M and 5M) and gold (5M, 10M, 20M) coins. As you wrote, Elsass-Lothringen (Alsace Lorraine) had a different status, and thus did not issue any. The two portraits of Friedrich II are interesting; the earlier one (on the 2M 1904 coin) is a classical profile. The later one (3M 1909) is different - the duke turns his head a little, and the result is a better portrait, I think ...

Christian

 

Thank you once again for a very informative post. I've seen some of these coins before but now I feel that I know them better.

 

Thanks Christian!

Clinker

 

Hey Collect89...

Good to hear from you! Thanks.

Clinker