2020 16.65g Germany Silver Germany Silver 300th Birthday of Baron von Münchhausen BU

You're asking about a fantastic and imaginative coin from Germany's commemorative series! The 2020 Germany Silver "300th Birthday of Baron von Münchhausen" coin celebrates one of literature's most famous and extravagant storytellers.

Here's a detailed description of the 2020 Germany 20 Euro Silver "300th Birthday of Baron von Münchhausen" Coin in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality:

2020 Germany 20 Euro Silver "300th Birthday of Baron von Münchhausen" Coin (Brilliant Uncirculated - BU)

This striking 20 Euro silver coin, issued by Germany in 2020, pays homage to Hieronymus Carl Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen (1720 - 1797), whose incredible, exaggerated, and often humorous fictionalized adventures have captivated audiences for centuries. The coin is struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality, meaning it retains its original mint luster and appears as fresh as the day it was minted, without any signs of wear from circulation.

Theme and Significance:

The coin celebrates the 300th anniversary of the birth of Baron von Münchhausen, a real historical figure whose tall tales became legendary. His fantastical exploits, such as riding a cannonball, pulling himself out of a swamp by his own pigtail, or traveling to the moon, are iconic examples of "lying stories" that combine wit, absurdity, and a delightful sense of the impossible.

Design Elements:

Obverse (Münchhausen Motif): The obverse, designed by František Chochola, masterfully captures the essence of Münchhausen's fantastical narratives. It most prominently features the Baron himself, often depicted in mid-air on his famous cannonball ride, or otherwise engaged in one of his exaggerated adventures. The design conveys motion and the fantastical nature of his stories. This coin is particularly notable as it often features selective colorization (e.g., in blue and red on his coat), making it a vibrant and unique entry in Germany's commemorative program. The inscription "300. GEBURTSTAG FREIHERR VON MÜNCHHAUSEN" (300th Birthday Baron von Münchhausen) is featured.

Reverse (German Eagle): The reverse of the coin features a dignified German Eagle, the national emblem of the Federal Republic of Germany. Surrounding the eagle are the twelve stars of the European Union, the denomination "20 EURO," the year of issue "2020," the inscription "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND" (Federal Republic of Germany), and the specific mint mark (A, D, F, G, or J, representing the five German mints: Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Hamburg). The silver fineness ".925 SILBER" is also present.

Edge Inscription: The coin's smooth edge typically bears the inscription "MIT TAPFERKEIT UND GEGENWART DES GEISTES" (With courage and presence of mind), a fitting motto for the Baron's adventurous spirit.

Specifications:

Country: Federal Republic of Germany

Year of Issue: 2020

Denomination: 20 Euro

Metal: .925 Fine Silver (Sterling Silver)

Weight: 18 grams (gross weight). The net silver content is 16.65 grams, which is where your "16.65g" comes from (18g * 0.925 = 16.65g).

Diameter: 32.5 mm

Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) – coins in this quality are specially struck to retain their original luster and are free from circulation marks. There was also a Proof (PP) version with lower mintage.

Mintage: The total mintage for this coin in BU quality across all five German mints was 830,000 pieces (approx. 166,000 per mint mark). The Proof version had a mintage of around 107,000 pieces (per mint mark).

Artist: František Chochola (Obverse design)

Release Date: May 7, 2020.