1915 Mansfield 3 Mark on eBay ...

weresteve

I seem to remember a discussion about the design of this coin some time back, but this one is a little suspicious ...

"SEGEN DES MANSFELDER BERGBAUS" Of 1915

coinpictures

I'd go one step further and say "a LOT suspicious" ... surfaces look all wrong on this one to me...

Rickc300

I need this 3 mark to complete the Prussian 3 mark series and I too will pass on bidding for this particular coin. The surfaces look pretty darn good (too good) in my opinion and I inverted the colors which can sometimes show much more than the regular photo does. At the very least it has been rubbed and while I have never personally examined a whizzed coin so I can't say, but something is not right as far as looks. The amount of rim dings and damage versus the coin faces makes me pretty sure I would not like it in hand even if the price seems pretty reasonable. I'll watch to see what it goes for and wait for another. I had been eyeballing one from ebay seller jeffone but after requesting additional pics I passed on his too when no pics or emails were received.

3Mark

Rick:

The rim problem is a marker for a real Mansfeld. All orginal Mansfeld have rim problems because of the edge lettering equipment was used incorrectly causing scalloping and other irregularities. Perfect rims equals fake (the coin is listed by Jaeger as having been counterfeited). I am told that the problem with the edge lettering equipment was because of the war (WWI) and many of the mint employees were fighting on the eastern or western fronts leaving few skilled workers. The rim problems will not hurt the grade if slabbed, since they are as made.3Mark

weresteve

Well, not suprisingly it didn't sell the first time around and is back up for auction once more ... same price. Not sure if the seller is going to get very many nibbles at $777.