Samples

For testing the mint institutions often minted small series (approx. 10-1.000 pieces), which usually do not reach the circulation. They are real rarities and accordingly valuable.

The following kinds are distinguished

• Material tests: Testing of the metal, composition of the alloy
• Motive tests: To an occasion different motives are minted (e.g., portrait or building of a master builder)
• Production tests: testing of the production, e.g., different edge, size of the motive, matting

Examples are the tests of the GDR-commemorative coins.