Come on! Wake up people!

[Wihlborg]

It’s been awfully quiet in the world coins forum recently, so I though I would post another coin to try and wake you sleepy people up.

 

 

It is an 1870 ½ kreuzer from Baden state in Germany. It is made of copper and has some nice light blue/green tone that is best seen when the coin is rotated under a light. There is also a die crack on the reverse from a little above 9:00 continuing across the reverse to the right and ending at the ‘K’ in kreuzer. It is about the size of a U.S. cent. I really like this little coin!

 

John

 

[TomB]

It looks like it has wonderful luster and color. I also really like the die crack.

[JamminJ]

Nice kreuzer, particularly the coat of arms.

 

I'm game for a little show antd tell, so in keeping with the German States theme:

 

Assuming the pictures show up, its a 1770 Bavarian thaler, KM234.1, featuring Maximillian III Joseph and the Madonna and Child devices. Note a few adjustment marks on the reverse at 12:00. I always like the legends on the older German coins, so here's a translation: "DG MAX IOUS UBDSRIA & El LL" = "By the Grace of God, Maximillian Joseph, Duke of Both Bavarias, Archdapifer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg." My foremost collecting interest is the Holy Roman Empire and since the Duke of Bavaria was one of the handful (7-10 depending on the time) electors who chose the emperor this fits right in. These are pretty common, so if a better one of the type should happen by I'm open to an upgrade.

 

Since this coin is rather dark my wife found it tough to photograph but it is a bit better in person. It resides in an NGC slab, anyone care to guess NGC's opinion of the grade?

 

Keep 'em coming Wihlborg!

-JamminJ

[Wihlborg]

I will guess AU-50. Actualy I am torn between AU-50 and AU-55. I say this because I can see areas that seem to be fairly well struck, but in other areas of the coin that appear to be worn, I can't tell how much of what I see is wear and how much may be a weak strike.

 

Nice coin JamminJ

 

Keep 'em coming Wihlborg!

 

I'll try to keep it interesting around here!

 

John

[JamminJ]

Hi John,

 

I'll wait a bit to reveal the grade in case anyone else wants to guess. I understand all too well your difficulties in determining strike weakness from wear on older coins, and judging from a photo doesn't help either!

 

Are German coins an area you focus on? If so, do you have a particular strategy? The field is just so vast! Usually, I'll just look for anything eye catching and then determine if it fits with my theme. Once in a while I'll be more specific, like "I need a Ferdinand II", usually driven by recent reading topics.

 

Now that I've figured out how to get a photo to show up in the post (your long string of tests was a big clue) I should be a bit more active in these forums.

 

-JamminJ

[RobertB]

Oh hell, I don't have a clue? I'll go EF40? Would love to see a gemmy of this type. What beautiful art. I wish we had coins like these!

[gmarguli]

I will guess AU-50. Actualy I am torn between AU-50 and AU-55.

 

You could always go with AU53.

 

Without seeing the coin in person it is just a wild guess, but I'd put it closer to XF40.

[JamminJ]

I will guess AU-50. Actualy I am torn between AU-50 and AU-55.

 

You could always go with AU53.

 

Without seeing the coin in person it is just a wild guess, but I'd put it closer to XF40.

 

Careful, big price jump between an AU50 and AU53 holder!

 

-JamminJ

[Wihlborg]

Are German coins an area you focus on?

 

Not really. I have a few, but when it comes to world coins I usually pick up any interesting, eye appealing coins as I find them. No real rhyme or reason, just coins I like.

 

Now that I've figured out how to get a photo to show up in the post (your long string of tests was a big clue) I should be a bit more active in these forums.

 

Yeah, I guess the testing forum is good for something after all!

 

John

[Wihlborg]

You could always go with AU53.

 

Thought of that Greg, but I have a feeling that if I am right about the strike being weak NGC probably graded this puppy at the higher end of the AU scale.

 

John

 

[shirohniichan]

Here's my latest purchase.

 

[JamminJ]

Nice coin Shiroh,

 

An addition to a florin set?

I think I've seen the reverse of your coin being eaten by lions on National Geographic specials.

 

BTW, what's up with your lightside avatar?

 

-JamminJ

[Wihlborg]

shirohniichan,

 

Oh, Very nice! I have been looking for one of those for a few years, but have been unable to find a nice one in that kind of in condition. Here are two examples of coins from Africa that are in my collection. Both are considered very tough it find.

 

This coin is a 1975 5 centimos from the Peoples Republic of Mozambique It is the first year of issue after the socialist party won independence from Portugal. It is made from copper zinc.

 

 

This coin is a 1985 500 Francs essai coin from Congo. It has a mintage of 1,700, and is struck in nickel.

 

John

[JamminJ]

 

It resides in an NGC slab, anyone care to guess NGC's opinion of the grade?

 

The certified grade is...VF20. The strike actually is pretty good but the coin is well worn. Perhaps my "better than the photo" line scared people off of the real grade!

 

-JamminJ

[gmarguli]

I really like the design of this coin. Are the surfaces as clean/mark free as they appear in the photo?

[Wihlborg]

Greg,

 

I think you are referring to the ½ kreuzer from Baden, so I will reply regarding that coin. Yes, the coin is very clean. There are a couple of tiny ticks, but it is basically mark free to the naked eye. It also has very good luster and really nice eye appeal. You can see a lot more of the light blue/green tone when looking at the coin under a light. I consider it an MS-65.

 

John

 

[gmarguli]

Yes, I was.

 

The obverse design is really neat and the reverse remind me of our Indian cent.

 

I'm going to keep a look out for a nice one of these...unless you want to part with yours. I know the answer to that already....

 

Maybe pick up one of the Guldens or Thalers that have a smiliar obverse design?

[Wihlborg]

JamminJ,

 

Man, that coin really fooled me. It is so common to see coins from the 1600’s and 1700’ that are very weakly struck in areas, so when I saw the areas that looked like heavy wear, I thought that these areas might have been weakly struck with wear on top of the weak strike.

 

John

 

[Wihlborg]

Thanks Greg, I truly believe that one of the best complements a coin collector can get is to have someone offer to buy one of his coins, but I am not interested in selling it at this time. I will keep you in mind if I ever do decide to sell it.

 

John

 

[trozau]

1855 Bavaria 2 Gulden (1 year type)

 

[JamminJ]

Beautiful!

 

I really like the Madonna and Child design on that double gulden as the standing design is a nice, refreshing update to the usual seated design.

 

 

-JamminJ

[shirohniichan]

Wow! That's one nice 2 gulden!

[chinook]

In the spirit of the holidays I call this one my Canadian Christmas Penny.

 

Nice red and green toning within a wreath.

 

Happy Holidays

[Wihlborg]

In the spirit of the holidays I call this one my Canadian Christmas Penny.

 

Nice red and green toning within a wreath.

 

Very nice chinook!

 

John

 

 

[Tbirde56]

Just a regular old Hungary 1938 5 Pengo, not even Unc.

[JamminJ]

Just a regular old Hungary 1938 5 Pengo, not even Unc.

 

That's some really great photography, the coin looks amost cameo!

 

-JamminJ