Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice Feb 2019 Auction 12-14 Feb 2019
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GERMAN EAST AFRICA. 20 Heller, 1916-T. Tabora Mint. NGC MS-64.
KM-15a. Struck in brass. Large crown (obverse A) with curled tips on L's (reverse C), a slightly better variety. Struck from salvaged parts off of the German Cruiser SMS Königsberg. After the Battle of Rufiji Delta the British sent the Mersey and Severn to finish off the German ship. Before the British were able to finish their assignment Captain Loof ordered that all usable parts be removed from the ship before it was scuttled. Lightly pitted surfaces are not the result of corrosion but from the crude planchet. Quite lustrous and never abused. A well struck example from crudely manufactured minting equipment and planchets. Mottled attractive butterscotch and dijon patina throughout give this piece a nice look.
Estimate: $75.00- $125.00
KM-15a. Struck in brass. Large crown (obverse A) with curled tips on L's (reverse C), a slightly better variety. Struck from salvaged parts off of the German Cruiser SMS Königsberg. After the Battle of Rufiji Delta the British sent the Mersey and Severn to finish off the German ship. Before the British were able to finish their assignment Captain Loof ordered that all usable parts be removed from the ship before it was scuttled. Lightly pitted surfaces are not the result of corrosion but from the crude planchet. Quite lustrous and never abused. A well struck example from crudely manufactured minting equipment and planchets. Mottled attractive butterscotch and dijon patina throughout give this piece a nice look.
Estimate: $75.00- $125.00