Germany 10 Deutsche Mark 100th Anniversary - Death of Carl Zeiss 1988

Issued on 23 November 1988 by the Federal Republic of Germany, this 10 DM silver (.625) coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of optician Carl Zeiss’s death (1816–1888). Minted at the Stuttgart Mint (F), it features the German federal eagle and denomination on the obverse, and a detailed portrait of Carl Zeiss with his microscope on the reverse. With a mintage of 8 million (plus 350,000 proofs), this collectible piece merges scientific heritage with numismatic appeal.
Specifications:
Face Value: 10 Deutsche Mark (non-circulating legal tender)
Year & Occasion: 1988 – 100th death anniversary of Carl Zeiss en.wikipedia.org+15colnect.com+15heritcoin.com+15en.wikipedia.org+4coin-brothers.com+4de.numista.com+4
Mint Mark: F (Stuttgart)
Weight: 15.5 g; Diameter: 32.5 mm; Thickness: ~2.25 mm
Composition: 62.5% silver, 37.5% copper (.3114 oz Ag)
Edge: Plain, inscribed “OPTIK FÜR WISSENSCHAFT UND TECHNIK” (“Optics for Science and Technology”)
Designer: Carl Vezerfi‑Clemm
Design Highlights:
Obverse: Bundesadler (federal eagle) above “10 DEUTSCHE MARK”, with “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND”, year 1988, and mintmark F
Reverse: Portrait of Carl Zeiss (1816–1888) alongside his microscope, with inscriptions “CARL ZEISS” and “1816 – 1888”
Mintage & Rarity:
Circulating version: 8,000,000 coins
Proof version: 350,000 coins
Considered common in circulated grades, with proof editions being notably rarer.
Ideal For:
Collectors of German and scientific commemorative coins
Science and optics enthusiasts honoring Zeiss’s legacy
Investors seeking silver coins with historical significance
Anyone building a set of German commemorative issues

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