Hi all. I'm hoping someone can help me with this coin, given to me some 40-odd years ago by my Grandfather in Germany. It's a gold coin, 10-Mark denomination 1887, with either an "M" or a "W" or an odd-looking "A" mark under the bust. I'm not sure of the mark, so I've included a colour negative of the head part of the coin for help with contrast. I can find loads of Willhelm's at 20-Mark denominatons, but no 10-Mark Friedrich ones. I know that Friedrich died in March of 1888, but I'm confused as to why there would be such a coin for 1887 struck for him as, as far as I know, he was not crowned until 1888. In fact, I cannot find ANY 1887 coins for Friedrich such as this one.
PURSSIA 10 MARKS FRIENDRISH III MARCH - JUNE .........I also can only find reference to this coin as KM#514 , minted elusively 1888A. Maybe there is 2 10 mark pieces on that necklace as the rim is thick. Maybe a 1887 and a 1888 obverse ? Or maybe it's a costume pieces but the reverse looks to good to be the case. how thick is the mount and whats the weight of the piece ? 3.9820 grams should be the coin's weight.
Thanks, Weryon, for responding. Unfortunately, I don't have a scale here sensitive enough to weigh the coin. It is not; however, an obverse as it is not thick enough to hold two. What I'll do is take it to a jeweller and ask him to weigh it for me. I've spent the better part of the day Googling and cannot find anything with this denomination/date on it. Maybe you're right, in that it could be just a costume piece - I'm hoping the jeweller might help in that regard. I'll post the results of his findings when I get them. Thanks again!
Here's what the 1888 10 Mark coin looks like: I believe that it was a one-year coin. See this post for the reason I bought it: http://www.cointalk.com/t152173
And that also answers the question whether the piece depicted in the first post is a coin. It's rather a medallion "inspired" by a coin. The portrait is somewhat crude; may well be a gold medal though. And primarily it is a neat family souvenir, I think - worth more than whatever you would get if you had it melted. Christian
Thank you, Willieboyd2 and Christian, for your insightful help! Christian, it never occurred to me that it could be a commemorative medallion/souvenir! I'll be going to the jewellers on Friday and will post his results here, but I have a hunch that Christian may be close to the truth. I'd never have it melted; it's one of the few things I have left of my Grandad
This post caught my attention because I also have a coin dated 1887 with Friedrich on the obverse. This however is a 20 mark gold coin which we purchased at our shop with about 20 other 20 mark gold coins of various dates several years ago. This coin first didn't catch my attention because of the date but because it is very proof looking with great mirrored fields and frosty devices. Of course the date does not match the only year of 1888 that Prussian coins were struck with Friedrich on them but the coin weighs right on with what it should for a 20 mark gold coin and other than the date there is nothing on this coin that indicates to me that it is a forgery or fake. If anyone can help identify this in any way it would help greatly. My gut says there is something about this coin that few know about and that it is not fake - too nice to be and if it is fake it is the best fake I have ever seen with any coin. Could it be maybe a pattern strike? Or maybe stuck at a later date as a souviner to a foreign leader? (the U.S. has done that many times). I'm hoping someone out there can at least point me in the right direction. If you would like to contact me directly you may at christoscoin@yahoo.com. Thanks - Tom & Basil Obverse: Reverse:
Wow! How very interesting, Christocoin. I have taken this coin to a few jewellery people who could not offer any information on it. As well, I have emailed, with photos, to coin collector clubs in Monaco as well as the mint in Bremen - all to no avail. I hope you get the information you are looking for, and if you do, perhaps even share them here as I would be very interested in anything you can find out. As for now, my coin is on my chain and I proudly wear it
I wonder about the 1887 coins posted here. Friedrich III was King of Prussia from March to June 1888, three months only. I couldn't guess who would be making ones with the wrong date. Even a Princess of the German House of Hesse had to make do with an 1888 coin. http://www.cointalk.com/t152173
Considering that they've made 1864-CC "Seated dollars" (with motto), and 1805 "Bust dollars", among other oddities, I would think China would be a prime suspect. But I guess I was wrong-- maybe.
Errm, what? There is no mint in Bremen. Yours still is a neat souvenir. As for the other piece shown here, well, actual Friedrich coins from Prussia (silver, gold) were minted while he was king, and shortly after his death. But all these are dated 1888. Christian
