Bavaria. Ludwig III Proof "Golden Wedding Anniversary" 3 Mark 1918-D PR65 Cameo PCGS, Munich mint, KM1010 (unlisted in Proof), J-54. Estimated Proof Mintage: 10. The unrivalled king of the Bavarian 3 Mark series that is by all measures virtually impossible to obtain in Proof. An ultra rarity created as a consequence of the dire material shortages caused by the First World War, trials for the type known to have been struck in cardboard, the 1918 3 Mark emission embodies the crisis of a crippled post-War Germany, produced at a figure leagues below the usual mintage numbers for the same denomination in other states of the period, which were regularly anywhere from a few hundred thousand of the business strikes, to a few hundred or 1,000 of the special Proof issues. Whereas 100 standard strikings were reportedly commissioned by the Bundesrat, Jaeger records that a paltry "ca. 10" Proofs were produced as trials ("Proben") for the King of Bavaria. The present offering, moreover, seems to flaunt its belonging to this group, adding a cameo designation to its gem Proof status as well as a vibrant array of marbled violet and cerulean tones on the obverse. Absolutely unmissable, and the crowning coin of this collection.

HID09801242017

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