Germany Bavaria 10 and 20 Mark 1872 to 1881

These are beautiful coins from the old German State of Bavaria. Here are some pertinent statistics for these coins:

BAVARIA 10 MARK (0.115 troy ounces gold)
worn: Base Value (BV) + $0
average circulated: BV + $30 US dollars
well preserved: BV + $80
fully uncirculated: BV + $150

BAVARIA 20 MARK, EXCEPT COINS DATED 1875 (0.230 troy ounces gold)
worn: Base Value (BV) + $0
average circulated: BV + $30 US dollars
well preserved: BV + $100
fully uncirculated: BV + $220

You can use these statistics to estimate value of these coins. First, find the Base Value (BV), or Bullion Value (BV), of the gold content by mulitplying the gold weight by the price of gold. Use a web site such as kitco.com to find the price of gold. For instance, if gold is selling at $1400 US dollars per ounce, the base price of the 10 mark is $1400 x 0.115 = $161 and of the 20 mark is $1400 x .230 = $322. Second, add the specified amount to find an approximate retail price. The premium is zero for worn or damaged coins, but rises as the coin's condition improves. Continuing our example, a fully uncirculated 20 mark is worth about $322 + $220 = $542.

Coins dated 1875 are quite rare, and the BV calculations do not apply. Typically,

BAVARIA 20 MARK, COINS DATED 1875
worn: $700 US Dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1200
well preserved: $1800
fully uncirculated: $2200

As with all valuable coins, you must be on the lookout for fakes. An 1875 specimen must be authenticated by professional service, such as PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG. I do not know of any 1875 counterfeits, but there are a lot of counterfeits that I do not know about!
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