Obverse. Photo © Katz Auction
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 34, Namibia, Great Monarchs, Frederick III
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 34, Namibia, Great Monarchs, Frederick III
Description

Europe has 12 monarchies, including the unique systems of the Vatican and Andorra. Due to historical intermarriage, all of Europe’s reigning monarchs are related. Since WWII, all hereditary European monarchs have descended from a single common ancestor: John William Friso, Prince of Orange, who died in 1711.

Two German noble families, the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburgs and the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, are particularly prominent in European royal bloodlines. The British royal family, originally the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, changed its name to Windsor in 1917 when King George V adopted a more British-sounding name to counter anti-German sentiment during WWI.

Obverse

Depicts coat of arms of Namibia, date and country name below.

The coat of arms depicts the national flag on the shield, African fish eagle above, Oryx supports the shield from two sides, Welwitschia mirabilis, a unique desert plant, below on top of national the motto.

UNITY LIBERTY JUSTICE
2009
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

Reverse

Depicts the obverse of the golden 10 Mark of Frederick III as a 24-karat Gold-Plated insert, encircled by an inscription, with the denomination below, flanked by three crowns on each side.

The obverse of the golden 10 Mark of Frederick III (Kingdom of Prussia, KM# 514, 1888) features a bust of King William I, facing right, surrounded by the inscription "Frederick German Emperor King of Prussia", with the Berlin Mint (A) mark positioned beneath.

Frederick III (1831–1888) was the German Emperor and King of Prussia for only 99 days in 1888, earning him the title of the “99-Day Emperor.” A highly respected military leader and a liberal-leaning reformist, he was the son of Wilhelm I and the father of Wilhelm II. Frederick was married to Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom, daughter of Queen Victoria, and was influenced by British constitutional ideals. He sought to introduce liberal reforms and limit the power of Prussian militarism, but his reign was tragically cut short by laryngeal cancer, which left him unable to enact significant change. His premature death led to the rise of his son, Wilhelm II, who took Germany in a more aggressive and authoritarian direction. Despite his short rule, Frederick III is often remembered as a progressive and enlightened leader who might have steered Germany toward a more democratic path had he lived longer.

• GREAT MONARCHS • FRIEDRICH III. •
FRIEDRICH DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN
A
$10

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 20 g
Diameter 35 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mayer Mint GmbH Germany

Related coins

William I

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William II

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