Monday, June 21, 2010

Russian Saint George the Victorious Silver Coin

Saint George the Victorious silver coins were first issued on January 11, 2009. The obverse features the emblem of the Central Bank of Russia—a double-headed eagle with wings down—and is inscribed with "БАНК РОССИИ" (Bank of Russia), "ТРИ РУБЛЯ" (Three rubles), indications of the precious metal content and its fineness, and the year of issue followed by the mint mark. The reverse features an image of Saint George and the Dragon. The coin was designed and sculpted by A. V. Baklanov and minted at Saint Petersburg. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Coin Specifications:
  • Diameter - 39 mm
  • Thickness - 3.1 mm
  • Edge - 300 corrugations
  • Composition - 99.9%
  • Face value - 3 rubles
  • Mass - 31.50 g (1.01 troy oz)
  • Mintage - 280,000 (Year 2009)

2009 Obverse

2010 Obverse

Reverse

Sunday, June 20, 2010

1935 Third Reich Silver Reichmark

1934, 1935 and 1936 minted Reichsmark have common obverse face yet different reverse. The 1935 minted 5 Reichsmark has the same design on the obverse as the 1934 except for the mint year. They have the same reverse that depicts the Potsdam Kirche.

5 Reichsmark Obverse (1934 & 1935)

5 Reichsmark Obverse (1935)


5 Reichsmark Reverse Potsdam Kirche (1935)

The earlier version (same as 1934) on the left, later version on right. Interestingly, the Swastika was removed.

The later version of the 1935 depicts then German President Paul von Hindenburg on the reverse.

Third Reich Silver Reichmark

The Reichsmark was introduced in 1924 to replace the Papiermark due to the hyperinflation in Germany in the 1920s. In 1925, 0.500 fine silver 1 and 2 Reichsmark coins were introduction. By 1927, 1 Reichsmark ceased production and was replaced by nickel 1 Reichsmark in 1933. In the same year, a new 2 and 5 Reichsmark of fineness 0.625 and 0.900 respectively were struck. By 1939, due to World War II, Germany could no longer afford to mint silver coins for circulation.

Coin Specifications:
  • 0.900 Silver
  • Weight: 13.8 g
  • Diameter: 29 mm
  • Edge: With words: Germeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz
(Community before self)

5 Reichsmark Obverse (1934)

5 Reichsmark Reverse depicting Potsdam Kirche (1934)

The Reichsmark coins were previously minted in 7 different mints instead of current Euro coins, which are minted in 5 different mints (A, D, F, G, J). The following mint mark indicates where each coin was minted:
  • A - Berlin
  • B - Wien (Vienna)
  • D - Munchen (Munich)
  • E - Muldenhutten (Dresden)
  • F - Stuttgart
  • G - Karlsruhe
  • J - Hamburg
The mint mark of this coin can be found just below the Potsdam Kirche.
Mint mark 'E' at the bottom of the Potsdam Kirche near the rim

Close up view of the mint mark 'E'

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Austrian Silver Vienna Philharmonic

Plain edge of the Philharmonic coin

The Austrian Vienna Philharmonic coin dates back to 2002 where 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz gold coin were issued. In 2004, 15 1,000 oz gold coin were produced.

It was until 1 February 2008 that the silver version were minted. It used the same design as the gold version, which was created by Thomas Pesendorfer.

Specifications:
Diameter - 37 mm
Thickness - 3.2 mm
Fineness - 99.9%
Face Value - € 1,50
Edge - Plain