[FAKE!] Flea Market Finds

Darkhorse · October 1, 2004 11:00PM

Hi all.
I stumbled on a flea market today and hunted for some coins (amongst other things). I picked up these two because I liked their designs, but also because they were nicely worn. They both have light fields but dark tarnish highlighting the detail in the now subtle devices.

I have no idea what I should've paid, but I like them. I know that high grade examples of the Bremen coin can go for large amounts.

AuldFartte · October 1, 2004 11:17PM

Darkhorse.

I'd have jumped on those, too. The effect of the tarnished areas really creates eye appeal, IMHO

cosmicdebris · October 2, 2004 12:04AM

CoinAddict · October 2, 2004 1:10AM

Very nice finds, Phil.

Askari · October 2, 2004 5:22AM

Lovely pieces!!!

spoon · October 2, 2004 7:26AM

Yowza! Awesome finds!!

I really like those 'respectably worn' German 5 marks. They can often have a more impressive look than mint examples. That Bremen one is great!

Where'd you find the flea market? I know there's usually one out by the soccer stadium.

Steve27 · October 2, 2004 9:15AM

Nice coins, I really like those lions.

python · October 2, 2004 9:20AM

I like the second one a lot.

goldrush00013 · October 2, 2004 9:38AM

Those are just peachy!

sumnom · October 2, 2004 11:26AM

Beautiful! Well done, Darkhorse.

Darkhorse · October 2, 2004 4:56PM

<< <i>There'd you find the flea market? I know there's usually one out by the soccer stadium. >>

Every first Saturday of the month there's a Flohmarkt behind Europaplatz. I keep forgetting about it but I stumbled upon it when looking for a place to buy tickets Europe-wide. Didn't find a ticket place but at least I found something.

Philip · October 2, 2004 7:07PM

Nice finds

After you gain more knowledge while travelling around, you can set up the FleaMarket Collectors Club.

syraq · October 3, 2004 1:15AM

Every first Saturday of the month there's a Flohmarkt behind Europaplatz. I keep forgetting about it but I stumbled upon it when looking for a place to buy tickets Europe-wide. Didn't find a ticket place but at least I found something.

Train tickets?

What else did you buy from the flea market ?

Darkhorse · October 3, 2004 1:18AM

I was looking for a place to buy Concert tickets. There's an Interpol concert in Strasbourg and in Paris in November, either one would be good.

I was looking for old convex/embossed tin adverts that are popular in German pubs. Didn't find a suitable one to add to our collection in the house.

syraq · October 3, 2004 1:27AM

I like these little tin ads too. I have an old Western Union one,from the 30s or 40s I think, that says

TELEPHONE YOUR TELEGRAMS FROM HERE

Ask operator for Western Union,

with a modernistic 30s design in black and yellow, trade colours of the company. Below the ad, is a 30s Siemens phone on the wall, all in black metal, mint condition,and fully operational. But I disconnected it because of the very noisy ring that was waking up my neighbours.

edited to add: you should go to Paris if you have the choice

gemini12398 · October 3, 2004 10:47AM

Any chance you can tell us how much you paid?

Darkhorse · October 3, 2004 8:39PM

32 Euro for both. I doubt I could do much better elsewhere to be honest.

Philip · October 4, 2004 12:16AM

I think the 5 Mark alone is worth more

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 1:13AM

That's what I thought on first sight. Anyone with a Krause who can help me out?

Spinynorman · October 4, 2004 2:37AM

My Krause only shows 1906J for the Bremen Funf Mark.

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 2:43AM

Huh. It could of course be a fake, which, I admit, could be a possibility.

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 2:54AM

I can't find any fake examples on eBay nor in google searches. Must be fake... or exceedingly rare.

Spinynorman · October 4, 2004 2:59AM

I don't know. I'm not familiar with German coins at all. The other one looks like a 1855 2 Gulden from Bavaria. I have $30 in VF (my guess on the grade).

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 3:01AM

MacCrimmon · October 4, 2004 3:12AM

Are the fields of that Bremen grainy? Cast maybe? You should also try weighing it accurately (.01 grams) and compare. Take it to you dealer where you bought that 'Blue Warrior-Princess'.

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 3:18AM

Yep, grainy fields. Did it one better and did a scratch test on the edge and saw the reddish hint of copper. I didn't buy them for that much and monthly fleamarket crook is hardly worth pursuing.

They don't look all that bad, actually. Fooled everyone here, including me!

Philip · October 4, 2004 3:25AM

Tough luck, I'm sorry to hear about it

Btw, there is a chance the flea market crook didn't know it was a fake either, I assume

Fleamarkeing is fun, but dangerous

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 3:27AM

It's a possibliity. He was a just a general antiques guy, there was only a small book of coins on the table. No matter, I kind of like them and I can leave them on my desk and not worry about them. I also have a shipment coming in from silvereaglecoins which will more than make up for this.

Philip · October 4, 2004 3:28AM

I looked at your scan and were it not for the date, I'd still be willing to bet this coin is real.

Spinynorman · October 4, 2004 3:39AM

Does the Bavarian have the same look up close?

Sorry man.

Darkhorse · October 4, 2004 3:51AM

The Bavarian one looks really genuine, only slightly grainy. But you can see some of the copper showing through Maximillian's nose and the mess at the top right of the obverse. Here's another look at the 5 Mark:

It looks pretty grainy in this photo. You can see some bubbles in some parts like the last E in FREIE and in the D of STADT. There are some bumps in the reverse. The edge around the reverse is a bit too rounded.

Both have edge lettering but it's really obscured... but then again the edge lettering on these German issues were never that great.

sumnom · October 4, 2004 8:16AM

I'm sorry, Darkhorse! That's a letdown. Live and learn, I suppose.

eric1509 · October 4, 2004 8:20AM

Hello!

I found something about the Bavarian coin if you are interested!

The coin is listed under Bavaria nr. 84 (Jäger):

2 Gulden (Mariengulden), silver, about 1.000.000 coins 1855

under the Head should be "C. VOIGT" and on the edge "ZWEY GULDEN" with ornaments between the letters.

I found the coin in my older catalouge from 1999 "Battenberg - German coins from 1800"
The coin is listed "ss" 45 Euro, "vz" 180 Euro
"ss" would be VF and "vz" EF

And for the Bremen coin, I also found only the issue from 1906, like the other members here.
The price for this coin is much higher, between 225 - 350 Euro in VF / EF

Hope this will help you

Eric

Askari · October 4, 2004 10:35AM

Ah, I didn't look so closely at the first picture nor check the date. I'd imagine the weight would give it away if it's silver-plated copper instead of silver. I'm wondering if the Bremen piece might not be one of those modern repros of older coins that turn up from time to time. Weimar repros are more common, though. The "off" date may have been on purpose to make them an imprecise repro and thereby not a counterfeit.

spoon · October 4, 2004 11:25AM

That sucks!

Btw, have you found a copy of Munzen & Papiergeld? It lists all German coins since 1871 (minus notgeld, using Jaeger #s) with current prices. A pretty useful guide for €5, instead of buying a catalog.. good articles too. The kiosks at the train stations almost always carry it, though most other magazine shacks don't from what I've noticed.

[FAKE!] Flea Market Finds

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