Trial strikes for the Bavarian 5 Mark coinage of Louis III exist in several metal combinations, this silver-plated copper piece being among the more utilitarian of the proof-of-die submissions. Louis III was the last King of Bavaria, abdicated under pressure in November 1918 as the monarchy collapsed at the close of World War I — meaning his entire coinage tenure spans just five years. The X# designation confirms this piece never entered the Krause standard catalog as a circulation or collector issue.
Trial strikes for the Bavarian 5 Mark coinage of Louis III exist in several metal combinations, this silver-plated copper piece being among the more utilitarian of the proof-of-die submissions. Louis III was the last King of Bavaria, abdicated under pressure in November 1918 as the monarchy collapsed at the close of World War I — meaning his entire coinage tenure spans just five years. The X# designation confirms this piece never entered the Krause standard catalog as a circulation or collector issue.