1875, Hesse-Darmstadt (Grand Duchy), Ludwig III. Silver 5 Mark Coin.
Mint Year: 1875 Mintage: 148,035 pcs. Denomination: 5 Mark. Reference: Jaeger 67, KM-353 ($200 in VF!). R! Condition: Numerous bag-marks from circulation, minor deposits, otherwise a decent VF! Mint Place: Darmstadt (H) Material: Silver (.900) Weight: 27,66gm Diameter: 37mm
Obverse: Head of Wilhelm II right. Mintmark of Darmstadt (H) below. Legend: LUDWIG III GROSSHERZOG VON HESSEN
Reverse: Crown of the German Empire above heraldic eagle of Germany with prussian shield at chest and star order. Legend: DEUTSCHES REICH 1875 * FÜNF MARK *
The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine (German: Großherzogtum Hessen und bei Rhein), or, between 1806 and 1816, Grand Duchy of Hesse(German: Großherzogtum Hessen)—as it was also known after 1816—was a member state of the German Confederation from 1806, when the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was elevated to a Grand Duchy, until 1918, when all the German monarchies were overthrown. Before 1866, its northern neighbour was its former sister Landgraviate, since 1803 an Electorate, of Hesse-Kassel – for this reason, this state was sometimes colloquially known as Hesse-Darmstadt.
Louis III, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine (German: Großherzog Ludwig III von Hessen und bei Rhein; 9 June 1806, Darmstadt – 13 June 1877, Seeheim) was the Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine from 1848 until his death in 1877.
He was the son of Grand Duke Louis II of Hesse and Princess Wilhelmine of Baden. He succeeded as Grand Duke in 1848 upon the abdication of his father during the March Revolution in the German states.