Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) 5 Mark 1988

History

5 Mark 1988, KM# 120, Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR), 150th Anniversary of the first German Steam Locomotive

Obverse. Photo © HISTORIA-HAMBURG.de

Description

The locomotive Saxonia was operated by the Leipzig–Dresden Railway Company (Leipzig–Dresdner Eisenbahn-Compagnie or LDE) and was the first practical working steam locomotive built in Germany in 1838. Its name means Saxony in Latin. The Saxonia was built by Johann Andreas Schubert.

Obverse	Coat of arms German Democratic Republic Device and tools (watch, compass, telescope etc.) Hammer, Compass (drawing tool) Depicts a national emblem of the German Democratic Republic (DDR), surrounded by the country name (above), denomination and date (below). Mintmark of the Berlin State Mint (A) is between country name and the emblem. The national emblem of the German Democratic Republic featured a hammer and a compass (drawing tool), surrounded by a ring of rye. The hammer represented the workers in the factories. The compass represented the intelligentsia, and the ring of rye the farmers. DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK A 1988 5 MARK
Reverse	Train, steam locomotive etc. Steam locomotive Depicts a steam locomotive Saxonia (left) with an inscription "Germany's First Railroad" on top. Engravers: Wilfried Klink and Bettina Klink von Woyski ERSTE DEUTSCHE FERNEISENBAHN SAXONIA
Edge	Inscribed (lettered) 1839 LEIPZIG - DRESDEN