German proofs 1870s-WWII

jimmyc

Proofs seem to be known for all or almost all German coins during this era. Were these always available for sale at the mints or were some presentation pieces only? Also, how were the coins sold, as sets , singles, or did it vary from mint to mint or over time?

3Mark

jimmyc:

I was hoping someone from Germany would have responded to your question.

I will try to tell you what I know about German proofs. The first German proof sets were issued in 1966, so as to answer part of your question, each piece prior to 1966 was obtained one at a time. Like the US, most German proofs were made for collectors. For example, the 1913 Prussian 2 mark, issued for the 100th Anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon, was sold at the Berlin mint for a extra 50 pfennig. The earlest German proofs, I believe, were medals issued by the City of Hamburg in the 1750's. I also think that German proof coins did not appear until at least 1815, and that was a pattern 2/3 taler of Hannover, which was probably struck in Britain. Many early German proof coins are rare and did not see large strikings until the 20th century. The mintages for some of the 20th century German coins are somewhat misleading, since reported mintages were for coins minted, but many went unsold and were melted or released into circulation. This is somewhat like what happened at US mints. Also, there appears to be no written work on German proof mintages and the best source that we have is Jaeger.

I hope this helps a little. 3Mark

Udo

<< <i>I was hoping someone from Germany would have responded to your question. >>



There was no need to wait for a response from someone of Germany, your response was very detailed and informative, 3Mark

I just wanted to add some information:

The mintage of proof coins varied from coin-type and mint. They usually made more proofs on commemorative coins than on coins destined for circulation.

Based on "Die Deutschen Reichsmünzen" written by Hugo Hammerich in the year 1906

Berlin mint (A) coined a larger number of proofs from every gold and silver coin they minted per year.
Munich mint (D) usually kept a number of first strikes of every coin type that the minted with a new pair of dies, during the year. Proofs aren't mentioned.
Muldenhütten mint (E) made proof coins, but usually only when a new design appeared (a new king was depicted on the coin), they made a hundred in proof.
Karlsruhe mint (G) made proof coins from every coin type that was minted during the year, usually 10 - 100 per type.
Hamburg mint (J) produced proof coins unsteady. They said that they didn't polish the planchets and the coins are better called prooflike, but I've seen coins of that period that weren't distinguishable between proof and prooflike.

Proof coins were made for collectors and not for circulation.
For example the Prussian 2 and 3 Mark coins 1913 (defeat of Napoleon) which 3 Mark already mentioned were sold as proof coins directly from the mint with a premium of 50 Pfennig. That was only the sixth part more to face, but the "ordinary" people were complaining very much about this premium, the just wanted to have the coins at face value and avoided to buy proof coins.

jimmyc

Thanks for the help 3Mark and Udo. The low markup on proofs seems to be the norm for the era. The production of collectors coins seems to have had far less of a profit motive.