10 Mark Grandduke Friedrich I. Gold Coin | Baden | 1872-1888
Berlin Mint
GPSR: Münze Deutschland
Barbarastr. 1
50735 Köln
(0961) / 3818 3970
info@muenze-deutschland.de
🇩🇪 10 Mark Baden 1872–1888 – Gold Coin Grand Duke Friedrich I – Baden Heraldry in Fine Gold
The 10-mark gold coin of Baden bears the portrait of Grand Duke Friedrich I, whose long reign led the Grand Duchy of Baden into a phase of political stability and cultural self-assurance. The mintings from 1872 to 1888 were created in the young German Empire, when the federal states continued to preserve their identity through their own coin motifs. Struck in gold, the coin shows a calm, clearly structured design that places material, monarch portrait and state symbolism into a coherent balance.
The obverse shows the portrait of Friedrich I, facing right, with a calm gaze and finely contoured depiction reflecting Baden’s minting tradition of the era. Surrounding the portrait is the inscription “FRIEDRICH I GROSSHERZOG VON BADEN”, evenly arranged in a clear, well-readable typography. Beneath the portrait is the mint mark of the respective mint, usually “G” for Karlsruhe or “F” for Stuttgart, both finely and discreetly embedded into the field. The grand-ducal face is not dramatized, but held in a factual-monarchic center, where contours determine the expression while the gold forms the calm, warm background surface.
The reverse shows the crowned coat of arms of Baden, supported by griffins, whose depiction is marked in bold as a central motif detail. The shield displays the heraldic fields of Baden, clearly structured and worked into a calm relief. Above the coat of arms is the denomination “10 MARK”, below it the respective minting year within the issuance period. An oak-leaf wreath surrounds the coat of arms, its finely executed leaves also marked in bold. The leaves are evenly arranged, forming an organic yet calm frame that supports the heraldic composition without overwhelming it.
The coin is struck in 900 gold, the classic alloy of the German Empire period, giving the coin a warm, balanced gold tonality. The surface shows an even shimmer that softly reflects the light, emphasizing the calm character of the metal. The relief heights are distinct but not harsh – light and shadow transitions appear soft and flowing. The reeded edge adds a traditional tactile element preserving the classic minting aesthetics of the era.
Friedrich I reigned from 1856 to 1907 and is historically regarded as a politically prudent monarch who guided Baden into a modern understanding of statehood. His portrait on this coin stands for Baden continuity, monarchic order and a form of representation based on calm dignity rather than loud dramatization. The coin design follows this principle: clear contours, orderly royal titles, a centered coat of arms and a field that gives the gold room to express its own material depth.
The 10 Mark Grand Duke Friedrich I gold coin of Baden thus remains a historical witness of Baden minting history. It shows a monarchic portrait and heraldic identity in a calm, clearly structured coin design whose value arises from material, history and national contour. A piece fulfilling the standards of a high-quality numismatic catalog entry – shaped by the quiet radiance of gold, the clarity of lines and the orderly beauty of a national motif that still preserves its calm, warm presence today.
| Metal | Gold |
| Form | Gold Coin |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Berlin Mint |
| Series | German Empire |
| Purity | 900/1000 |
| Fineweight | 3.58 gram |
| Gross Weight | 3.982 gram |
| Grade | Brilliant |
| Condition | Circulated |
| Face value | 10 Mark |
| Thickness | 0.91 mm |
| Diameter | 19.50 mm |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |