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Question
I think my dad gave me this coin a long time ago and it's been in a bag with foreign change we collected over the years. During some clean up action recently we came across it again and I'm curious as to if it is really as old as the date on it and if it is worth anything? Please see the image attached.
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The inscriptions read as follows:
Front: Wilhelm der Grosse Deutsche Kaiser (Wilhelm the Great German Emporer) König von Preussen (King of Prussia)
Back: Zum Andenken an den Hundersten Geburtstag des grossen Deutschen Kaisers Wilhelm I. 1797 - 22.März 1897 (In Commemoration of the 100th birthday of the great emporer Wilhelm I. 1797 - 22. March 1987)
Hi Andrea,
This is indeed a commemorative medallion from 1897. Unfortunately it is a fairly common one and the less valuable of two varieties.
This variety, with a punched hole at the top sells for around $10 in good condition (which yours is). The better variety has a loop soldered to the top edge and a yellow ribbon attached, with no hole. That one is about $20 in the same condition.
The low value reflects low interest in bronze medals of this period, which were mass produced. Had it been made of silver the value would be in the $50 to $80 range.
In German, these type of commemorative medallions and coins are referred to as "Gedenk" coins or medals.
Thanks for the question! =)
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| Comment | Thanks for the speedy reply. I figured it wasn't worth much ... it is stll nice to own a bit of history. ;) | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dmitry Livshits
Expertise
My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.
Experience
Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.
Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).
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