World Coin HELP!

A : Berlin 1750 to date
A : Clausthal (Hannover) 1833-1849
B : Bayreuth, Franconia (Prussia) 1750-1804
B : Breslau (Prussia, Silesia) 1750-1826
B : Brunswick (Brunswick) 1850-1860
B : Brunswick (Westphalia) 1809-1813
B : Dresdan (Saxony) 1861-1872
B : Hannover (Brunswick) 1860-1871
B : Hannover (East Friesland) 1823-1825
B : Hannover (German Unification) 1872-1878
B : Hannover (Hannover) 1821-1866
B : Hannover (Prussia) 1866-1873
B : Regensburg (Regensburg) 1809
B.H.: Frankfurt (Free City of Frankfurt) 1808
B (rosette) H-Regensburg (Rhenis Confederation) 1802-1812
C : Cassel (Westphalla) 1810-1813
C : Clausthal (Brunswick)
C : Clausthal (Hannover) 1813-1834
C : Clausthal (Westphalla) 1810-1811
C : Dresden (Saxony) 1779-1804
C : Frankfurt (German Unification) 1866-1879
D : Aurich (East Friesland under Prussia) 1750-1806
D : Dusseldorf, Rhineland (Prussia) 1816-1848
D : Munich (Germany) 1872 to date
E : Dresden (Saxony) 1872-1887
E : Muldenhutten (Germany) 1887-1953
F : Dresden (Saxony) 181845-1858
F : Magdeburg (Prussia) 1750-1806
F : Cassel (Hess-Cassel) 1803-1807
F : Stuttgart (Germany) 1872 to date
G : Dresden (Saxony) 1833-1844, 1850-1854
G : Glatz (Prussia Silesia) 1807-1809
G : Karlsruhe (Germany) 1872 to date
G : Stattin in Pomererania (Prussia) 1750-1806
GN-BW – Bamberg (Bamberg)
H : Darmstadt (German Unification) 1872-1882
H : Dresden (Saxony) 1804-1812
H.K. – Rostock (Rostock) 1862-1864
I : Hamburg (Germany)
J : Hamburg (Germany) 1873 to date
J : Paris (Westphallia) 1808-1809
M.C. : Brunswick (Brunswick) 1813-14, 1820
P.R. : Dusseldorf (Julich-Berg) 1783-1804
S : Dresden (Saxony) 1813-1832
S : Hannover (Hannover) 1839-1844

This is a list of Austrian mints and mint marks starting from the 1600’s

A, W, Wl : Vienna (Wien)
(a) : Vienna (Wien)
Al, AL-lV, C-A, E, GA : Karlsburg (Transylvania)
B, K, KB : Kremnica (Kremnitz, Hungary)
BE, BE/V, BEZ, B.T. : Bistrice (Romania)
CB, Cl, Cl-Bl(Nl), CW, H, HS : Hermannstadt (Sibiu) (Transylvania)
CV (1693-94), FT, KV (1694-1700) : Klausenburg (Cluy, Transylvania)
D : Salzburg
D, G, GR : Graz (Styria)
F, HA : Hall
G, H, P-R : Gunzburg
GM : Mantua (Mantova)
(h) : Shield – Vienna (Wien)
M : Milan (Milano, Lombardy)
MB : 1693-1697, 1702 – Breh (Brzeg)
NB : Nagybanya (Baia Mare, Hungary)
O : Olmutz (Olomouc)
O : Oravicza (Oravita, Hungary)
S : Schmolinitz (Smolnik, Hungary)
V : Venice (Venice, Venetia)
(v) Eagle – Hall
W : Brestlau (Wroclaw, Vratislav, Poland)

German Reform Coinage

Collecting German Reform Coinage from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s

Collecting German coinage from the reform period can get very pricey. I’m talking in the thousand’s of dollars per coin range in mint state condition for certain dates. If you are thinking about starting this type of collection, break it down into two categories. One category would be the 2 Mark and 5 Mark coins from the beginning of the reform (late 1800‘s), and the second category would be the 2 Mark 3 Mark and 5 Mark coins from the beginning of the 20th century.

I did a write up on the German commemorative coins during the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. While the commemorative coins are much more interesting during the early coinage reform period. They fall into a different category altogether. But nothing says that you can not combine the commemoratives with the standard series. So, if you are to start a collection of reform coinage during this time in German coinage history. Try to make it a specialized collection. What I mean by this,.. Is try to get a coin from as many German States as you can. Try to start a 2 Mark collection, and then start to build a 5 Mark collection. Again, if you would like to include the commemoratives within the series, than by all means do so.

As always, do study up on any series of coins you find interesting before spending your money. Not only will you gain knowlage, but you will be able to help other collectors with the knowledge you’ve gain.

German Thalers (Taler) from the 16th to 18th centuries

The Thalers from this period can be broken down into categories. You can start a collection of Thalers by German States or collect only a certain King, Arch-Bishop, Count….the list goes on. One of the most interesting collections I’ve seen of German Thalers. Was by a collector that collected the design verities. What is that ? There can be many small design changes with just one coin of one year,.. say the year 1665 for example. There may be a change in the Coat Of Arms, or the hair style of the King. One area I find interesting and the most historical, is the commemoratives commemorating great military victories. Wars were not scarce from the 1500’s to 1700’s that’s for sure. You will sure gain an immense knowledge of history while putting together a collection of Victory Thalers from this time period.

Now we will talk about putting together a specialized collection of 16th and 17th century German Thalers. This is usually an advanced collectors realm with lots of money. For those of us that can not afford the coins in this category. Getting a book on these historical coins makes for a good read, and gaining knowledge is a good thing. Ok, back to the subject at hand.
The coins within this category are very special historical ones. These would include the coins of the Order Of The Teutonic Knights, and the Imperial Administrative District called the Swabian Circle. This category will also include the ultra rare large sized Thalers. The size of these Thalers are 60mm to 100mm in diameter. I’ve only seen pictures of these massive coins in books, and yes, they are coins and not medals.

I should mention, that I would include the ¼ and ½ Thalers of this time period, and they are more affordable. Most of the commemoratives of the larger Thaler series, were also minted in ¼ and ½ Thaler denominations. If you’re a beginning collector interested in early German coinage. There are books out there on the subject. I would recommend buying one, as it is a must if your looking into this time period.
If you have a question, please do ask me, or an advanced German coin collector or dealer. The only way I would buy these coins, is if they have been authenticated by PCGS or NGC, as there are many fakes out there. The reason I state using PCGS and NGC for authentication, is that they have the best knowledge and data base for authenticating these coins.

Bavarian Commemoratives
If your into collecting German commemoratives, than the German State of Bavaria had minted many of them during the mid to late 1800’s. Commemoratives from this German State are very interesting and of historical importance to the people of Germany. There are 2 Gulden, ½ Thalers, Thalers (Taler) and Double Thaler coins to chose from. Most important, is that the majority of the Bavarian commemoratives are affordable. Ranging from $200 in AU-58 to many thousands of dollars in high mint state grade. You will find yourself buying AU grades over mint state when looking at buying the Double Thalers. The price jumps quite high from AU-55 / 58 to MS-65. Even if you do have a hefty bank account, the price of an MS-65 could help bring your bank account down very fast.

Here is a list of commemoratives I find very interesting.
1) The very affordable 1855 (KM#465) 2 Gulden that commemorates the Restoration of the Madonna Column in Munich.
2)The following three Thalers could fall into the variety classification for variety collectors. All three of the Thalers are not dated, and with no the denomination on the coin.
A) The ND (1806-1808) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 348
B) The ND (1807-1808) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 353
C) The ND (1808-1837) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 357
3) The 1825 Thaler (KM# 370) Commemorative of Coronation of Ludwig I
4) The 1827 Thaler (KM# 380) Commemorative of Founding of the Order Of Ludwig
5) The 1827 Thaler (KM# 381) Commemorative of Founding of the Theresien Order
6) This is one of the most popular commemorative Thalers. The 1828 (KM# 386) Blessing of the Royal Family.
7) The 1830 Thaler (KM# 393) Loyalty of the Bavarians to the Royal Family
This 1835 Thaler is the major variety coin of the series. It commemorates the monument in Munich to King Maximillian Josef. Some of the coins show the King with his Scepter not beyond his shoulder. They are KM# 411.1 and 411.2
9) This 1842 Double Thaler is the other major variety coin of the series. It commemorates the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria and Marie, the Royal Princess of Prussia. One coin show the date of marriage as Oct. 1st, which was in error. The other coin has the correct date of Oct. 12th

These next commemoratives are of very important historical events.
1) The 1833 Thaler (KM# 404) Commemorative of Monument for Bavarians who had Fell in Russia
2) The 1835 Thaler (KM# 410) Commemorative of Construction of the First Steam Railway
3) The 1835 Thaler (KM# 412) Commemorative of School given to Benedictine Order
4) The 1871 Thaler (KM# 496) Commemorative of German Victory in The Franco-Prussian War
5) The 1839 Double Thaler (KM# 425) Commemorative of Maximillian I as Elector of Bavaria
6) The 1843 Double Thaler (KM# 434) Commemorative of 100th Anniversary Academy of Erlangen
7) The 1844 Double Thaler (KM# 437) Commemorative of Completion of the General’s Hall in Munich
The 1848 Double Thaler (KM# 443) Commemorative of Abdication of Ludwig I for Maximillian
9) The 1846 Double Thaler (KM# 441) Commemorative of the Completion of the Canal Between Danube and Main Rivers
10) The 1856 Double Thaler (KM# 467) Commemorative of Erection of Monument to King Maximillian II
11) The 1848 Double Thaler (KM# 447.1) Commemorative of New Constitution. There is a variety of this coin. KM# 447.2 with edge lettering CONVENTION-VOM

There are many more commemorative coins during this time period, than what I’ve listed within this article. Do your research first to make things easier. Decide if you only want to collect the ½ Thalers or the large Double Thalers. There are fake copies on the market of these popular coins. If you do not have the knowledge of knowing a fake coin from a real one. Than buy one that’s been graded by PCGS or NGC. The fun part of collecting commemoratives, is that you learn history and gain much knowledge to boot.

Collecting German Commemoratives from the 19th to 20th centuries (1800’s to early 1900’s)

Collecting Germany commemoratives, can be very fun and very frustrating at the same time. The best way to approach this specialized field of collecting, is to break it down into the major categories. I’ve came up with my own categories that I follow. 1) Historical events, like military victories. There are many coins minted from various German States commemorating great military victories. 2) Coins commemorating the deaths of Kings, Queens, Counts, Arch-Bishops and the list goes on. Just take your pick at which commemoratives within this category you fine interesting. 3) The weddings of Kings, and there are also coins commemorating Kings and Queens anniversaries. 4) This is a large list. Coins commemorating Treaties / Erection of Monuments / Restoration of Monuments / Unions between Germans States and Constitutions. The last category is a specialized one. The coins in this category are very low mintage and can command a good hefty price in high mint state grades. This category is for the German Shooting Festival commemoratives.
You can come up with your own categories, and the one’s I listed are just the one’s I find interesting. While the Germans minted commemoratives for centuries. The coins from the 17th to 18th centuries are very expensive. The early commemoratives are very interesting though, and the size of some of the coins are as large as 100mm. That’s correct, 100mm and they are coins, not medals.