1950s German 1 Mark pieces?

coinpictures

Some of the 1950s German 1 Mark pieces jump to astronomical prices in XF or better (like going from $10 in VF to $100++ in XF).

1. Why so?

2. Are the prices in Krause even remotely accurate?

3. What are the key grading points for that particular design, i.e., how do you tell if one is XF vs. VF?

I just gambled on a whole bunch on the Bay at potentially lucrative prices (although if they end up only being VF, I'm kinda hosed). It's an area where I have absolutely zero representation in my collection, so I thought I'd snag a few.

Thanks in advance.

JamminJ

<< <i>2. Are the prices in Krause even remotely accurate? >>



Not even close. For all those expensive 1DM expect about 25% of catalog for MS63 examples, maybe a bit higher percentage for the cheaper ones and a bit less for the really expensive ones. For AU58s expect $25-$40 - even if the XF catalog value is several hundred dollars.

coinpictures

Oh joy.

cladking

The major rarities will bring Krause though I confess I don't pay enough attention
to confirm or deny JammimJ's observations on the others. Generally there are few
collectors of moderns who desire XF coins. Where they are extremely rare the de-
mand will go down to the circulated grades but there are only a few dozen moderns
with substantial circulated prices and these are where there are only five or ten ex-
amples in XF and better.

These quarter sized copper nickel coins were simply ignored by collectors when they
were issued like most of the coins made since 1950. Virtually the entire mintages
went into circulation and ground up over the years. These may have been the first
moderns to be recognized as scarce by collectors and were being sought by the mid-
'70's. If memory serves even the first edition of Krause shows a premium for many of
them.

Large percentages of the coins were destroyed over the years by time and then the
balance of them (in low grade) was melted in the switchover to the Euro. Most people
believe that they'll never be scarce in low grade so there are still coins being turned
over for destruction.

ajaan

I agree with JamminJ. I have sold certified MS65 colorfull coins for $30 or so for the 1 mark coins. But, that was for the German Empire Marks, not the later coins.

coinpictures

<< <i>I agree with JamminJ. I have sold certified MS65 colorfull coins for $30 or so for the 1 mark coins. But, that was for the German Empire Marks, not the later coins. >>



Oh, I agree on the Empire pieces, and have bought the same. However, Krause already reflects that price point (1914 and later pieces range from $15 to $20 in UNC), so the $30 for MS65 doesn't seem far off the mark.

The coins I'm referring to in Krause are all KM #110 (I didn't buy all of these, just a few of the various dates and mintmarks):

1954D F: $2.00, VF: $8.00, XF: $100.00, UNC: $425.00
1954F F: $2.50, VF: $10.00, XF: $200.00, UNC: $650.00
1954G F: $4.00, VF: $25.00, XF: $450.00, UNC: $1,900.00
1954J F: $1.50, VF: $7.00, XF: $55.00, UNC: $400.00
1955D F: $2.00, VF: $9.00, XF: $125.00, UNC: $550.00
1955F F: $1.00, VF: $6.00, XF: $50.00, UNC: $500.00
1955G F: $4.00, VF: $40.00, XF: $400.00, UNC: $1,650.00
1955J F: $1.00, VF: $6.00, XF: $50.00, UNC: $220.00
1956D F: $1.00, VF: $4.00, XF: $35.00, UNC: $325.00
1956F F: $1.00, VF: $4.00, XF: $35.00, UNC: $375.00
1956G F: $1.00, VF: $4.00, XF: $35.00, UNC: $275.00
1957D F: $1.00, VF: $5.00, XF: $75.00, UNC: $325.00
1957F F: $1.00, VF: $5.00, XF: $75.00, UNC: $325.00
1957G F: $2.50, VF: $10.00, XF: $145.00, UNC: $800.00
1958D F: $1.00, VF: $4.00, XF: $40.00, UNC: $275.00
1958F F: $1.00, VF: $5.00, XF: $45.00, UNC: $375.00
1958G F: $2.50, VF: $8.00, XF: $135.00, UNC: $1,100.00
1958J F: $1.00, VF: 5.00, XF: $50.00, UNC: $500.00
1959D F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $20.00, UNC: $225.00
1959F F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $20.00, UNC: $225.00
1959G F: $1.00, VF: $5.00, XF: $40.00, UNC: $375.00
1959J F: $1.00, VF: $4.00, XF: $35.00, UNC: $650.00
1960D F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $25.00, UNC: $750.00 (typo in UNC? see next entry)
1960F F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $25.00, UNC: $250.00
1960G F: $1.00, VF: $6.00, XF: $50.00, UNC: $600.00
1960J F: $2.50, VF: $8.00, XF: $200.00, UNC: $750.00
1961D F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $20.00, UNC: $275.00
1961F F: $---, VF: $2.00, XF: $20.00, UNC: $175.00
1961G F: $1.00, VF: $6.00, XF: $50.00, UNC: $475.00
1961J F: $1.50, VF: $7.00, XF: $75.00, UNC: $850.00