My latest acquisition : German East Africa, 10 Heller, 1910. The design of this coin was partially a side - effect of the design contest for the 25 pfennig wich was issued from 1909 - 12. The center - hole did not pass through the jury, as it was regarded as primitive and unworthy for an educated european to use. Frenchies and others though... For Africa it was good enough in any case. The prewar - issues og German East Africe where in fact legal tender untill 1923.
This little pfennig is a rarity within the series. It is the 1902 mintmark J, (minted in Hamburg), of which only 150 specimens were struck. I've had two experts over the years look at it - both agreed it is a genuine coin. I'm happy with that.
Wow, 150 made, thats crazy Eduard. There are some nice MS graded empire coins ending in the next 10 hours on ebay right now for anyone with the money to get them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370709838478 http://www.ebay.com/itm/281036831186 http://www.ebay.com/itm/370709839622 http://www.ebay.com/itm/271119841757
:thumb:German Empire coinage can have some great engraving and more than One per year+ denotations penny's-pfennig-Mark $ copper silver and gold .as Germany had a lot of areas like state + each had its own design+ learning them all could take a life time as there are so many. trying gaining that knowledge from the USA for each hamlet,state or region is not an easy task.as the pass holds hide secrets that were not secrets in 1700-1921 but today we can find the knowledge via internet :kewl::secret: good friends in Germany who share there info with us.
Beautiful example of the 1894 G. They are not easy to find in nice grades! Love it. This is one of my favorite designs on any coin.
It's an exchange of information that goes both ways and presents a chance for all involved to learn something.
Keep in mind none of those coins are slabbed. Unless you know what you're looking at, or are buying lower-end coins, there is no guarantee what you'll get is real. For some reason the Europeans don't do the whole slabbing thing (yet).
Umm, MA-Shops is a platform, not a single dealer. Maybe some of the sellers actually offer their coins in US-type slabs - I don't know, and frankly, I will not buy a slabbed piece. Fortunately most dealers over here guarantee the authenticity of what they sell. Christian
One of the reasons I like German Empire coinage so much is the history behind them. Ludwig III (son of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria & Archduchess Augusta of Austria) took over as King of Bavaria from Otto (son of Maximilian II & Marie of Prussia, brother of Ludwig II ). – King Otto (who was insane) was allowed to keep his title, until he died in 1916. During this brief time Bavaria had two kings.