This is an 1874 G 2 pfenning of the German Empire. It displays very little wear. Also retains about 10% original luster. BUT...I see mucho doubling on the reverse. Note especially the central shield and the eagles wings!! Is this a DDR or MD? Would this be about an EF-40 to about an AU 50?? Thanks in advance.
Nice, DD all the way. It looks cleaned, but that may just be your photo. Kind of hard to tell grade, but at least AU
I don't get into foreign coins much so can not see the double with out a comparison coin but au would be my grade
I purchased it from "Lost Dutchman Rare Coin" in Indiana. At the time no one knew it to possess a DDR. I received it in excellent condition, but I noticed it to be heavily coated with years of tarnish and a dark patina (it is a pure Cu coin). I cleaned it, and lo and behold the doubling became clear. Value to me - $125.00. But I paid much less than that. I prefer the sharp devices which only became apparent after cleaning. I used Krud Kutter, the Must for Rust...it has an interesting and effective acid, great on copper and brass (but not bronzes). To each their own. I personally enjoy inspecting this coin, I can see its detail, and that is important to me. Thanks for all the input, and keen observations!!
Agree that there appears to be doubling on the reverse and that the grade is AU. Curious about the lighting. The obverse shows a darker field from 2 o'clock to 8 o'clock with surfaces facing 1 o'clock looking much brighter. The reverse is shifted. It shows the darker field from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock and the higher surfaces facing 1 o'clock appear brighter. That one feather on the right side stands out.
I have been trying out a new camera set up. At the moment I use reflective panels, and throw the light all around. There is some toning in the central portion of the rev, it is a bit darker than the rest of the coin. On the 9 o clock side I had a very strong light!
The unfortunate cleaning has left bare, pink, stripped surfaces which damage the value of the coin. I would call it AU details, cleaned. The luster appears muted because of the cleaning. Allow it to regain its patina - AND DON'T CLEAN ANY MORE COINS!!!! And yes, it appears to have a nice DDR.
Thank you for your advice. But had you seen the original surfaces you too might have desired to see what was beneath the tarnish and thick patina. The DD would continue to evade notice had I not cleaned it. The "bare pink surfaces" expose the original bare copper! It looks much like the day it was minted. The luster did not appear (its not visible) in the photo, but it is a slightly brighter sheen seen on about 10 to 20 % of the coin. In my mind the coin's value increased greatly. The NO CLEANING stigma leaves many coins in jeopardy. Perhaps you are thinking of the many improper cleaning attempts, like using wire brushes, etc. I prefer coins which I enjoy viewing, I enjoy seeing the actual metal, not decades of corrosion et al. The no cleaning stigma, is very very popular, and I will be always viewed as one who despises corruption, tarnish, toning and most patinas. Still we get along. Again thank you, glad you can now see the DDR!! And yes, AU with details is fine!! - typical grade. I am used to it.
They say "The one who pays the fiddler calls the tune." So, the owner can do as he wishes, but I, for one, really like the chocolate brown of the "before" photo. Steve
I agree. You took a nice, original coin, with a deep chocolate and very attractive patina, and turned it into a stripped bare pink piece of copper. You destroyed the value and the attractiveness of the coin. Please don't do this to any more coins.
Look at this coin when it was originally minted, it was a nice clean copper, as it now is. That is an ORIGINAL coin. Compared to 100% pure copper rounds, this is NOT pink! It is a nice deep copper color. It is, as far as I know, the ONLY DDR for the whole series of 1800s 2 pfennig coins!! So it has great value. I will continue to conserve and protect any coin I own! You keep the dirt tarnish et cetera, that is your choice, I will not advise you or any collector, but if one asks: conserving a coin to its original state (bare metal) is a needed skill in numismatics today. Years ago it was standard, and it may be again in 100 years, maybe in time no longer foolish stigmas against (properly) cleaning a coin that needs it. Thank you for your opinion. Steve: quote: They say "The one who pays the fiddler calls the tune." So, the owner can do as he wishes......." I agree. As do many museums! GSDykes
