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MAINZ: (BECKER FORGERY) Gerhard I of Dhaun, 1251-1259, tin pfennig (7.16g) (struck circa 1820), Unc

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / World Coins - Europe Start Price:60.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
MAINZ: (BECKER FORGERY) Gerhard I of Dhaun, 1251-1259, tin pfennig (7.16g) (struck circa 1820), Unc
SOLD
90.00USD+ buyer's premium (20.00)
This item SOLD at 2026 Jan 25 @ 11:09UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
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BUYER'S PREMIUM - The Buyer's Premium is $20 per lot or 20% of the hammer price, whichever amount is greater.
MAINZ: (BECKER FORGERY) Gerhard I of Dhaun, 1251-1259, tin pfennig (7.16g) (struck circa 1820), Hill-323, forgery struck by Becker circa 1820; facing bust of Archbishop, wearing mitra, holding crozier and book // church facade with cross, Unc. Becker was born in Speyer, Germany, in 1772 and died in 1830. As the son of a wine merchant, nothing predestined him to become one of the most talented forgers in the history of numismatics. He began his career in the family business, and his father sent him to Bordeaux for training. At the age of 23, he married Maria Catharina Tremelius, with whom he opened a wine store in Frankfurt am Main. Then they changed their business and set up a cloth company in Mannheim, which finally went bankrupt in 1803. Becker had always been interested in sculpture and numismatics, which were his true passions. He traveled in Switzerland and in Italy where he made friends with famous numismatists. Thanks to all his knowledge, his fame grew rapidly and he attracted the attention of great collectors. He was considered a great connoisseur of coins. This reputation allowed him to regularly sell counterfeit coins, which he produced discreetly in Offenbach. Becker’s forgeries are today appreciated by collectors as much as the originals. He is now recognized for his talent as an engraver.