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German States (Hesse-Darmstadt): silver kreuzer, 1866
lordmarcovan
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German States (Hesse-Darmstadt): silver kreuzer, 1866
KM 339, .1660 silver/.0044 oz, 0.83 g. NGC MS67, cert #2790007-019. Ex-"sergeitero", an eBay member from Estonia, 10/21/14.
Not only is an MS67 grade on a coin that's nearly 150 years old impressive, but I was also taken by the stunning cameo prooflike mint frost on this little coin.
Though I suppose its low silver content would technically make it billon, let's imagine this in comparison to its small silver US counterparts; say an 1866 half dime or silver three-cent piece. Would you be able to purchase one of those for just under a hundred dollars, as I did this coin? No, you wouldn't. You wouldn't be able to touch one of them for under a thousand dollars, and in fact if they were in NGC MS67 plastic, you wouldn't get them for less than several thousand dollars. As of this posting, the NGC population is two, with none finer. I haven't checked the PCGS population, but based on the NGC data, it's relatively safe to assume that this piece is tied with one other for finest known. Perhaps this is not the most inspiring of coin designs, but I've seen worse, and again... just look at that heavy mint frost! This thing looks like a CAM or DCAM proof!
Larger obverse image
Larger reverse image
NGC cert verification page
NGC/Krause priceguide trends
Wikipedia links:
Hesse-Darmstadt
Kreuzer
When posted here, this coin was part of my "Eclectic Box of 20" collection.
KM 339, .1660 silver/.0044 oz, 0.83 g. NGC MS67, cert #2790007-019. Ex-"sergeitero", an eBay member from Estonia, 10/21/14.
Not only is an MS67 grade on a coin that's nearly 150 years old impressive, but I was also taken by the stunning cameo prooflike mint frost on this little coin.
Though I suppose its low silver content would technically make it billon, let's imagine this in comparison to its small silver US counterparts; say an 1866 half dime or silver three-cent piece. Would you be able to purchase one of those for just under a hundred dollars, as I did this coin? No, you wouldn't. You wouldn't be able to touch one of them for under a thousand dollars, and in fact if they were in NGC MS67 plastic, you wouldn't get them for less than several thousand dollars. As of this posting, the NGC population is two, with none finer. I haven't checked the PCGS population, but based on the NGC data, it's relatively safe to assume that this piece is tied with one other for finest known. Perhaps this is not the most inspiring of coin designs, but I've seen worse, and again... just look at that heavy mint frost! This thing looks like a CAM or DCAM proof!
Larger obverse image
Larger reverse image
NGC cert verification page
NGC/Krause priceguide trends
Wikipedia links:
Hesse-Darmstadt
Kreuzer
When posted here, this coin was part of my "Eclectic Box of 20" collection.
0
Comments
Taler Custom Set
Ancient Custom Set
Also the proof minors are a fantastic value, mintages aren't readily available but probably range from 25-100 for any of them and they can be found very nice for under $250.
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
I will have to keep an eye on those proof minors.
Of course I already had an eye open for pretty much all pre-WWI proofs, anyway, as exhibited by the 1913 Saxony 3-mark proof already in my Box of 20.
Amat Colligendo Focum
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