Lote 585 Stocks and Bonds - Germany

Daimler-Benz AG, Nominal ST 5 DM.
Stuttgart, June 1996, Ordinary Share of 5 DM, #1364, not cancelled, rest of coupons, featuring portraits of Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz. In addition to the usual facsimile signatures of Hilmar Kopper (as Chairman of the Supervisory Board) as well as Jürgen Schrempp and Manfred Gentz (as members of the Executive Board), this piece also bears the original signatures of all three gentlemen (including both first and last names)! Provenance: Siegfried Wisotzky Collection.

Hilmar Kopper (1935–2021) was one of the defining German banking executives of the postwar era - and a man who shaped not only the fortunes of Deutsche Bank but also those of German industry. After graduating from high school in Schleswig-Holstein, Kopper joined Deutsche Bank in 1954, rising over decades from trainee to CEO. In the 1990s, he led Germany’s largest financial institution and was regarded as a discreet but highly influential behind-the-scenes figure. A particularly notable chapter in his career was his involvement with Daimler-Benz. In 1990, Kopper was appointed to the supervisory board of the Stuttgart-based automotive company, where he quickly assumed a central role. In 1993, he became chairman of the supervisory board - right in the midst of sweeping restructuring and major strategic decisions. Under his supervision, Daimler-Benz adopted an increasingly global focus, prepared for the mega-merger with Chrysler, and transformed into an integrated technology group. Jürgen Schrempp (born 1944) began his career at Daimler-Benz AG in 1967 after training as an automotive mechanic and studying business administration. Over the years, he held various leadership positions, including at the then subsidiary Mercedes-Benz of South Africa. He later headed the commercial vehicle division and was responsible for corporate development. In 1995, Schrempp was appointed chairman of the board of management of Daimler-Benz AG. In this role, he spearheaded the transformation of the group into a globally active company. His most famous project was the merger with the U.S. automaker Chrysler in 1998. This led to the creation of DaimlerChrysler AG, with the goal of forming a strong international automotive group. During his tenure, Schrempp emphasized internationalization and technological diversification. Under his leadership, the group also expanded into aerospace (DASA) and financial services. He led DaimlerChrysler until 2005 and continued to serve on various supervisory boards thereafter. Dr. jur. Manfred Gentz (born 1942) was among the most influential financial experts in German industry during the 1980s and 1990s. After studying law and earning his doctorate, he began his career at Allianz, where he quickly gained a reputation as a financial specialist. In 1983, Gentz joined the board of Daimler-Benz AG and held various executive positions. Starting in 1990, he took over responsibility for the finance division, a role he continued to hold after the 1998 merger with Chrysler within the newly formed DaimlerChrysler AG. Gentz was regarded as the architect of a rigorous financial policy within the Daimler Group. In this capacity, he was also closely associated with Mercedes-Automobil-Holding AG, the group’s strategic investment company. There, he played a key role in coordinating corporate holdings and consolidating the group’s financial structure. After retiring from active board duties in 2004, Gentz served on several supervisory boards, including those of BASF, Deutsche Börse, and Zurich Financial Services