Here are the top German States coins I've purchased in 2019. Feel free to pile on any German States coinage you picked up in 2019, or ones that you are reminded of when you look at my coins. 1. 1614 Doppeltaler, Teutonic Order, Hall, 58.20g. This one is a big purchase in all sense of it. I sought out and purchased this coin raw from MA-Shops and submitted it to NGC. It came back AU-53, which feels just fine and looks better then many other higher graded coins I've seen. 2. 1866 Groschen, Hannover, NGC MS67+. This is my highest graded German States coinage (and also my highest graded coin intended for circulation). I picked this one up on eBay and bid on it before going to bed in Germany, because it ended in the middle of the night. I picked it up for less than my bid and am very happy with how it looks in hand. 3. 1559-1623 (no date) 2 Kreuzer Strasbourg, PCGS VF35. Admittedly, I did not purchase this, it was gifted to me, but it had been on my watch list, waiting for my hobby funds to open up. I have been to Strasbourg several times and highly recommend the city and the castle about an hour south of the city (Haut Koenigsburg). Strasbourg is the capital of the beautiful Alsace region, with amazing food and views. I couldn't be more pleased to have this coin in my collection (thanks @micbraun !!!) 4. 1708 3 Petermenger, Trier, NGC VF30, eBay purchase. This coin stuck out to me because of its unique denomination. In this era, the inhabitants of Trier were very religious and used Petermenger instead of Pfennig as their "penny" value. The photos don't do it justice, but they're the best I have at the moment. 5. 1712 1/2 Kreuzer, Hall. I found this coin at the Baltimore Whitman Show, and despite already being over budget, I couldn't leave without it. The detail on this little coin (14mm) is incredible. I might have to pick up the pfennig, which is actually only 13mm. 6. 1624 2 Kreuzer, Bavaria, PCGS MS64. I picked this coin up from eBay due to the beautiful toning it displayed. The PCGS glamor shot really brings it out. 7. 1678 1 Kreuzer, Nurnberg. Another Baltimore purchase and a nice addition to an unintentionally growing collection of UNC Greman states coins. The price was right, so I picked it up. 8. 1817 Brodmarke, Elberfeld Korn Verein, ebay purchase. This is actually a token, but has a very unique history to it. I'm working on an article explaining its significance, so don't spoil it! I could've bought a better example, but I liked the off-center strike. 9. 1766 1 Heller, Anhalt-Zerbst, ebay purchase. At 17mm, this coin is about the size of a dime. I have not yet thoroughly researched this region, but the coin stood out to me. 10. 1739 1/12 Thaler, Reuss-Ebersdorf. Last, but certainly not least. The lighting/color is a little darker in hand. I found the obverse so unique and interesting that I just couldn't let this go, despite concerns that it had been cleaned. Even if it has, I am very happy with this addition to my collection.
Beautiful array. And I enjoy reading your rationals for the purchase decision. We all have our own thought process we go through when we decide to obtain a coin.
Nice additions @Seattlite86! The Trier piece in particular speaks to me. I recall seeing that one on eBay and thought about it myself. A couple of german states medals and a 1/8 taler added this year: Bamberg - 1746 medal Munster - 1648 medal Passau - 1/8 taler
Doppeltaler = 2 Thaler see Wikipedia https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_(1871) 30 Taler = 52½ Gulden = 1 pound (Pfund) 2 Taler = 3½ Gulden = 6 Mark 1 Taler = 3 Mark 1 Gulden = 1,71 Mark I like the last one... 1.71 lol keep it simple
Very nice, Brandon! I like them all, well chosen and balanced. Collecting German States will give you a lot of joy and satisfaction, as you already have found out. Have you decided to focus on a specific era? for example, 1600-1700's or ca 1750's-1873 (like I do), or a specific geographic area? or a specific theme (city views, for example?). (I found many years ago that focusing is important as the scope of German numismatics is 'bewilderingly' large...) Since I live in Hessen, I will pile-on with some from Hessen, Frankfurt and Nassau.
This humble (and to be honest, not so pretty) 3 Kreuzer from Nassau is my most significant addition for 2019. Why? it is the scarcest coin in the series, an absolute rarity and only the second example of this year to have appeared at auction in the last 50 years.
I will get around to my top 10 in the next couple of weeks. I'm not sure if this one will be #1 but it will be in the running. Obverse: The Annunciation Obverse Legend: AVE MARIA GRATIA. PLENA. DOMINVS Reverse: The Nativity Reverse Legend: PVER NATUS. EST. NOBI E FILIVS. DATVS. EST Note: Ref. G#1586. Prev. KM#F85. Composition: Silver Diameter: 59mm Weight: 56.5gm
I'm glad you enjoyed reading my rationale. It is fun to see what people purchase and why. I've realized that I get more enjoyment out of the circulated coins than the UNC ones. I need to do better about not letting those beauties distract me, especially since they come with a much higher price tag! Thank you for not bidding against me! your medals are absolutely stunning. If I had a significantly large budget, I would definitely look for some of these to add to my collection. I also really like that 1/8 Taler Unfortunately, the only amount I've been able to narrow down my focus of German States coinage is pre 1871... I don't have enough knowledge or discipline to narrow it down further. I'd really like to get one per German State, but I've already purchased a couple from Hall because I liked the designs, so let's just call that a work in progress. I'm a big fan of your Frankfurt coinage and love seeing rarities That's a beautiful #1. I look forward to seeing your other 9!
Bishopric of Bamburg Georg III Schenk von Limpurg Pfennig 1512 Unimpressive uniface coin in only VF but not easy to find anything issued by this bishop. The arms are Bamberg (diagonal bar over lion rampant r. ) and Limpurg (3 maces)
I have a greater appreciation for uniface coins than I used to. Thanks for sharing yours. I meant to ask you if this coin was rotated? I think this might explain the weakness of the reverse. For once, I'm grateful our collecting budgets are on two very different levels. I still get to see coins I could never afford, but don't have the competition in my purchases.
I like countermarks. In March 1693, during the so called "second Kipperzeit', when Cologne was being flooded with debased coinage, the city magistrates countermarked good silver gulden with this COLN monogram c/m to increase their value. Here is one I acquired this year: City of EMDEN Gulden (2/3 Taler) 1688 with Cologne c/m
