How to get started collecting German/German States coins?

sturmgrenadier

My first two years collecting have been focused on U.S. coins. But, I feel it is time for me to branch out into world coins. I'm a fluent reader and writer of German, so I thought that said coins (mid 1800's to early 1900's) would be a great place to start. I recently picked up the latest Yeoman's Edition. I've web-searched, but haven't really found any other reference works. My dilemma is that I have a lot of energy and enthusaism but I'm not sure how to effectively channel it. Can more seasoned collectors/dealers give me some guidance on how to get started with this exciting field? What books would you read (does the adage of reading the book first still apply with foreign coins such as German)? In collecting U.S. coins, one of my learning strategies was to examine/acquire 'grader sets' of PCGS/NGC examples of a particular series I collect. I found these very helpful for comparative purposes. I imagine that it is much harder to find reputably slabbed examples of early German coins? How do I find out what issues are more prone to being cleaned vs. original? Most importantly, do any dealers of German coins come to the Baltimore/ANA show(s)? Thanks for any ideas you are willing to share with a fledgling collector

Dawg144

I started collecting 18th century uncertified German States coins earlier this year, and it's been very rewarding. My first suggestion is to very clearly define what direction you want your collection to take. For instance, I hope that my set will include a billon or silver example from each of 37 pre-defined states in the Holy Roman Empire. Since the era you're interested in covers the German Confederation through the Weimar Republic, this definition may be especially challenging. Do you want your collection to cover an example from each major state? Do you want a type set of issues under German unification? Do you want to include gold? There are lots of interesting possibilities, and depending on your budget, there are many ways to approach this period.

If you don't have any Krause catalogs yet, my second suggestion is to buy the Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1601-present. It may be a little dated (published in 1998), but if you really want to focus on German coins, it's a nice, relatively concise reference.

With regard to slabbed coins, I myself prefer to keep my set cheap and raw. However, I did consider starting a collection of PCGS/NGC Imperial 1/2 or 1 Mark coins. These can be found in higher grades, for prices that are extremely low relative to contemporary American coinage. They are also often very colorful and original. If you do a quick search on eBay, I think you'll find at least one at any given time. German States issues may be a little bit harder to find, but if you feel confident in your grading abilities, submission is always an option.

I hope my little tirade was helpful . Good luck, and happy collecting!

Preussen

As Dawg144 already mentioned, a lot of different coins were produced during the timeframe you referenced. I also recommend the Krause Standard Catalog of German Coins to assist you in determining your specific area of interest. Kurt Jaeger's "Die deutschen Münzen seit 1871" is a standard for German coins (since 1871) and money trend is a valuable price guide. -Preussen

JimK

Sturm,
Here's a link which may help, it has ballpark price guides and mintages by year as well as most of the pics for German coins including the Kaiserreich era which is what it sounds like you are interested in.
Sammler

For me it was easy to decide which states to collect. I go by where my family came from- so I collect Prussia (by ruler- Kaiser Wilhelm II), Bavaria (by ruler- King Otto), and I have no relation to Hamburg but I really like the design of their coinage, so I collect them also.

If you need more links as far as where to look for sellers, research, etc. shoot me a pm and I'll be glad to send you some. There are a few dealers here on this board as well which might be able to help you out also...

Welcome to the German coin collecting world, for me it has been quite challenging, addicting, but very satisfying!

Hope this helps,
Jim

sturmgrenadier

Thanks to all for the ideas and advice. The main point I've taken away from this thread is that it is important for me to find a relatively narrow focus for my German coin collecting. Otherwise, I may become overwhelmed and end up with an accumulation without any really unifying theme. And this likely would not be very satisfying. I was intrigued by the suggestion to acquire a copy of Kurt Jaeger's "Die deutschen Münzen seit 1871." I searched for this title online and the only place I could find it for sale was amazon.de I enjoyed perusing the German version of Amazon and reading about the many books on German coins/collecting. While it may seem so obvious as to be self-evident, I never realized until now that there would be numismatic books written in German about German coins (duhhhh....) and that some of these are likely a valuable resource for collectors who can read the language (duhhh...., redux). But ouch, the shipping from the Fatherland is (obviously) very expensive. As much as I love the German language, I regret never having made a native, penpal on the other side of the pond: it would sure be cheaper to have a friend buy and ship the book for you The German Krause Catalog sounds like another good idea: I just wish that they would come out with a revised edition (of course when I buy the current one, an updated version will come out. Isn't that how it always works Alas, I am very intrigued by the idea of buying a numismatic book penned in the mother tongue, so I may yet pony up. Thanks also for the links to the useful pricing/information sites Question: is it bad etiquette to ask publicly (on a thread like this) for recommendations on reputable dealers in a specialty area such as this? Is it more appropriate to PM someone who is in the know? Thanks again for the help. I'm dying to visit the ANA show and hopefully get to see some nice German coins. Although, being that I won't be able to get there until, Saturday, the next to last day, I worry that most dealers will already be bye-bye. I start a new job July 21st so can't really ask for time off during the week, may I?

coinkat

I recommend that you go to the ANA even if it is Saturday. ANA shows are usually terrific shows

Preussen

<< <i> I was intrigued by the suggestion to acquire a copy of Kurt Jaeger's "Die deutschen Münzen seit 1871." I searched for this title online and the only place I could find it for sale was amazon.de >>

That's where I got mine -Preussen

Musky1011

Pick a State,any state

Bailathacl

I've been happy trying to get one outstanding example from each state. There's no right way to do it!

sturmgrenadier

<< I was intrigued by the suggestion to acquire a copy of Kurt Jaeger's "Die deutschen Münzen seit 1871." I searched for this title online and the only place I could find it for sale was amazon.de >>

That's where I got mine -Preussen

Is a new version of this book released each year (like the Krause Catalogs)?

Preussen

<< <i>Is a new version of this book released each year (like the Krause Catalogs)? >>

I have the 19th edition from 2005, and it seems the latest is the 20th edition from 2007, so it looks like a new one is issued every couple of years . -Preussen

Edited to add: AKS is another excellent reference (called AKS for the authors).

3Mark

I will be going to the ANA and there will plenty of dealers with German coins and other foreign for that matter. There is a seperate foreign section, but some foreign dealers are in the US section also. I personally collect 3 marks by type in unc. and proof, 25 pfennigs by date and mint in proof (completed) and 25 pfennig patterns, minors in proof by type for the time that the 3 marks were issued (1908-1933), German Victory coins from 1863 to 1913 and all Frankfurt coins by type. How I began to collect German coins is a mystery to me, but I have always been a type collector in general and except for the 25 pfennigs, everything I collect is by type. If I were to start something new, I would try for the vereinstalers by state and/or type. This is doable with no real stoppers, something I didn't consider when I started the other collections. Since I started collecting German, I have met a number of other German collectors and dealers and bought all the books and have bid in many German auctions and try to attend at least two of the major US shows (Chicago, NY and the ANA) that have foreign coins. After this, can I tell you what to collect from Germany and the answer is no, just find something that you like. Besides all the previous things that were offered, I will include the MA Shops here which has thousands of German coins and many of the dealers that I have made the acquaintance of. They also have a small auction similar to ebay.3Mark

cwt

Any idea which German dealers will be at the ANA?

coinkat

The ANA is coming up at the end of July