Chris B. writes: I have found a coin that I cannot find in my foreign coin book. It is copper color and about the size of an American Quarter. On one side it reads “scheide munze” under that is a “3” and under that is the word “PFENNINGE” and the date “1872” below that. On the back is a crest with what looks to be a phoenix with “120 EINEN THALER” in an arch that is near the edge of the coin. The coin is in very good condition with no wear marks at all. I hope you can help me. Thank you.
You have a 1872 Prussia 3 Pfenninge. The Legend 120 EINEN THALER tells you that 120 3P (360 Pfenninge) was equal to one Thaler, (pronounced Tollar, like “dollar” with a “T”). The term SCHEIDE MUNZE refers to the fact that the 3 pfennige was “fractional money”, that is less value than a Thaler.
There is a “A” “B” or “C” under the date separator that represents the Mint that struck the coin:
- A = Berlin
- B = Bayreuth
- C = Cleve
Values from: 25 cents – $15+
