Kingdom of Prussia, Box, Gott Mit Uns
World War I Box - 1914-1918 - EF(40-45)
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Central crown, with the motto ‘GOTT MIT UNS’ above, and laurels below.
Various coins.
Box dating from the World War I, of unknown function, perhaps to contain tobacco. It does not seem to open as the copper has been folded over the ‘Gott Mit Uns’ emblem. One side is made up of small coins from Eastern Europe, all from Triple Alliance countries or their allies. The central coin is a 50 Para of Petar I of Serbia; top right, 10 Russian Kopecks (Alexander III or Nicholas II), right, 2 kuruş of Mehmet V (1911), bottom right, 5 centimes from Belgium (Leopold II), bottom left, 10 stotinki of Ferdinand I, left 5 lepta of George I of Greece (1912), and finally, top left, 10 Para of Serbia. All are dated before 1915, so we can estimate that this box was made in 1914 or 1915. It is not impossible that it was made by a Serbian soldier, as two Serbian coins have been inserted.
48.4 gr
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
