List of silver coins of the German Empire
The federal states of the German Empire were allowed to issue their own silver coins in denominations of 2 and 5 marks from 1873. The Coinage Act of 9 July 1873 regulated how the coins were to be designed: On the obverse or image side only the state sovereign or the coat of arms of the free cities of Hamburg, Bremen or Lübeck was to be depicted, and the coin had to have a pearl circle. On the reverse or denomination side only the Imperial Eagle to a certain design was allowed. In addition, further silver coins were issued in denominations of 20 pfennigs, 50 pfennigs and 1 Mark. However, these were not stamped with a portrait of a ruler, since they were not issued by individual states.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Funf_mark_1907.jpg/440px-Funf_mark_1907.jpg)
In 1908, 3 Mark coins were minted for the first time, for which the same provisions applied as for the 2 and 5 Mark coins.[1]
The provisions of 1873 were relaxed by the Coinage Act of 1 June 1909; other motifs could now also be depicted on commemorative coins, and the pearl circle was no longer mandatory; the value side was also allowed to have a different design.[1]
Some coins were produced in very high numbers, such as the circulation and commemorative coins of the Kingdom of Prussia. In smaller territories with a correspondingly small population, on the other hand, there were significantly lower numbers especially of commemorative coins. Due to the First World War, on the other hand, only 100 examples were minted of the Saxon 3 Mark commemorative coin marking the 400th anniversary in 1917 and issues commemorating state anniversaries in Hesse (1917) and Bavaria (1918) were only minted in low numbers.[1]
The coins were valid throughout the Empire, so that coins from Baden could also be used in Prussia, for example.[1]
Mints
editThe silver coins of the Empire were minted at nine different mints:[1]
Mint symbol | Place | Period |
---|---|---|
A | Berlin | from 1872 |
B | Hanover | 1872–1878 |
C | Frankfurt | 1872–1879 |
D | Munich | from 1872 |
E | Dresden | 1872–1887 |
Muldenhütten | 1887–1953 | |
F | Stuttgart | from 1872 |
G | Karlsruhe | from 1872 |
H | Darmstadt | 1872–1882 |
J | Hamburg | from 1875 |
Denominations up to 1 Mark
editThe smaller silver coins of the German Empire were issued from 1873 at nominal values of 20 Pfennig and 1 Mark. 50 Pfennig coins were struck by the mints from 1875. As early as 1877 the 20 Pfennig silver coins were replaced by those made of cupro-nickel. From 1891 the design changed slightly as it did also on the higher denominations: now the Imperial Eagle depicted a small coat of arms instead of the larger coat of arms used up to that point. After 1903 no more coins with the nominal value 50 Pfennig were struck; instead these coins bore the nominal value of ½ Mark.[1]
Denominations | Obverse | Reverse | Minting period | Weight | Diameter of the coin |
Edge design |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 Pfennig | 1873–1877 | 1.111 g | 16.0 mm | 110 notches | ||
50 Pfennig | 1875–1877 | 2.778 g | 20.0 mm | 126 notches | ||
50 Pfennig | 1877–1878 | 2.778 g | 20.0 mm | 126 notches | ||
50 Pfennig | 1896 1898 1900–1903 |
2.778 g | 20.0 mm | 126 notches | ||
½ Mark | 1905–1919 | 2.778 g | 20.0 mm | 90 notches | ||
1 Mark | 1873–1883 1885–1887 |
5.556 g | 24.0 mm | 140 notches | ||
1 Mark | 1891–1894 1896 1898–1916 |
5.556 g | 24.0 mm | 140 notches |
They were produced in all the mints, although several did not produce all the denominations in every year.
These coins, like the 2, 3 and 5 Mark pieces, were made from 900/1000 silver.[1]
Denominations from 2 Mark
editSize and weight
editAll coins were made of 900/1000 silver.
The 2 Mark coins are 11.111 grams in weight and have a diameter of 28 mm.
The 3 Mark coins are 16.667 grams in weight and have a diameter of 33 mm.
The 5 Mark coins are 27.778 grams in weight and have a diameter of 38 mm.
In general a Mark represented 5 grams of silver. A 5 Mark silver coin thus contained 25 g silver; by contrast there were also 5 Mark gold coins with a content of 1.79 g of gold.
Reverse side images
editThe Imperial Eagle is depicted on the reverse of the silver coins. There are two variants: the eagle with a large coat of arms ("little eagle") and the eagle with a small coat of arms ("big eagle"). The former was used until 1889, the latter from 1891. No silver coins were minted in between those dates.[1]
-
Eagle with large coat of arms ("little eagle")
-
Eagle with small coat of arms ("large eagle")
The inscription reads:
- GERMAN EMPIRE --year--
- --Value--
Exceptions
editThe 1909 coinage allowed the value side to be changed as well:[1]
- On the reverse of the coins "Centenary of the Grand Duchy 1915" (Mecklenburg-Schwerin) and "Centenary of the accession of the County of Mansfeld" (Prussia) another form of imperial eagle can be seen, the so-called "war eagle".
- The Prussian 3 Mark coins "Centenary of the University of Berlin" and "Centenary of the University of Breslau" also bear other forms of imperial eagle.
- A variation of the imperial eagle (Art Nouveau eagle) is embossed on the reverse of the “Centenary of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach” coin.
- The reverse of the coin "Centenary of the Wars of Liberation against France" features an eagle clutching a snake (a symbol of Napoleonic foreign rule).
-
Reverse of the coin "Centenary of Mecklenburg-Schwerin"
-
Reverse of the coin "Centenary of the University of Berlin"
-
Reverse of the coin "Centenary of the University of Breslau"
-
Reverse of the coin "Centenary of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach"
-
Reverse of the coin "Centenary of the Wars of Liberation"
Edge
editThe edge of the 2 Mark coin is milled with 140 notches, while the perimeter of the 3 and 5 Mark coins are stamped with the inscription GOTT with UNS ("God with Us"). Between the words are two arabesques with an iron cross between them.[1]
List
editThe following is a table of the silver coins issued by the German Empire.[1]
Legend:
Face Value: The face value of a coin is the denomination stated on the coin and at which the coins were most often issued.
Year of Issue: The year of issue is the year in which a particular coin was minted and issued.
Circulation/commemorative coin: A circulation coin is one without a specified reason for issue. It depicts only the portrait of the prince or the coat of arms of the city. In addition, it is usually issued over several years. A commemorative coin is one issued for a specific occasion, such as a state anniversary or the ruler's birthday. These coins were each only produced in one year. However, like the circulation coins, they were official means of payment.
Occasion/Motif: The occasion of a commemorative coin or the motif of a circulation coin is given here.
Mint: The coins were mostly only produced by one mint (see above) listed here.
Minted condition:
- MS: These coins were minted in the normal way. However, the majority are no longer in "mint uncirculated" condition, as they have worn out over time.
- PF: These coins were minted in a special way, separately from the others. They were minted from polished planchets using specially polished dies. This causes the bumps on the coin to appear dull while the surface is reflective. These coins are usually more expensive than the normal minted coins, as they were also minted in smaller numbers in most cases. If the word available is in the "PF" column, it means that the number of PF coins is not known.
Duchy of Anhalt Capital: Dessau; area: 2,299 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876 | Circulation coin Frederick I |
A | 200,000 | – | |
2 Mark | 1896 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of Frederick I |
A | 50,000 | available | |
5 Mark | 1896 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of Frederick I |
A | 10,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Frederick II |
A | 50,000 | 150 | |
3 Mark | 1909 1911 |
Circulation coin Frederick II |
A | 100,000 100,000 |
100 | |
3 Mark | 1914 | Commemorative coin Silver wedding of Frederick II and Marie |
A | 200,000 | 1,000 | |
5 Mark | 1914 | Commemorative coin Silver wedding of Frederick II and Marie |
A | 30,000 | 1,000 | |
Grand Duchy of Baden Capital: Karlsruhe; area: 15,069 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876 1877 1880 1883 1888 |
Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 1,739,038 763,927 74,000 45,493 75,279 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1874–1876 1888 |
Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 786,994 30,111 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1892 1894 1896 1898–1902 |
Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 106,750 106,750 213,520 1,093,412 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1891 1893–1895 1898–1902 |
Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 42,700 177,033 491,605 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1902 | Commemorative coin 50th anniversary of the reign of Frederick I |
G | 375,018 | – | |
5 Mark | 1902 | Commemorative coin 50th anniversary of the reign of Frederick I |
G | 50,024 | – | |
2 Mark | 1902–1907 | Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 3,444,401 | available | |
5 Mark | 1902–1904 1907 |
Circulation coin Frederick I |
G | 805,119 243,821 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1906 | Commemorative coin Golden wedding of Frederick I and Louise |
G | 350,000 | – | |
5 Mark | 1906 | Commemorative coin Golden wedding of Frederick I and Louise |
G | 60,000 | – | |
2 Mark | 1907 | Commemorative coin Death of Frederick I |
G | 350,002 | available | |
5 Mark | 1907 | Commemorative coin Death of Frederick I |
G | 60,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1911 1913 |
Circulation coin Frederick II |
G | 77,000 289,690 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1915 | Circulation coin Frederick II |
G | 3,464,251 | available | |
5 Mark | 1908 1913 |
Circulation coin Frederick II |
G | 281,568 244,000 |
available | |
Kingdom of Bavaria Capital: Munich; area: 75,865 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876 1877 1880 1883 |
Circulation coin Louis II |
D | 5,370,139 1,511,500 168,974 104,217 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1874–1876 | Circulation coin Louis II |
D | 1,871,266 | available | |
2 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Otto |
D | 172,368 | – | |
5 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Otto |
D | 68,947 | – | |
2 Mark | 1891 1893 1896 1898–1908 1912–1913 |
Circulation coin Otto |
D | 246,050 246,050 492,131 12,733,516 311,350 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1891 1893–1896 1898–1908 1913 |
Circulation coin Otto |
D | 98,420 407,741 4,420,268 420,000 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1913 | Circulation coin Otto |
D | 6,592,442 | available | |
2 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin 90th birthday and 25th anniversary of the reign of Prince Regent Luitpold |
D | 640,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin 90th birthday and 25th anniversary of the reign of Prince Regent Luitpold |
D | 639,721 | available | |
5 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin 90th birthday and 25th anniversary of the reign of Prince Regent Luitpold |
D | 160,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1914 | Circulation coin Louis III |
D | 573,533 | available | |
3 Mark | 1914 | Circulation coin Louis III |
D | 717,460 | available | |
5 Mark | 1914 | Circulation coin Louis III |
D | 142,400 | available | |
3 Mark | 1918 | Commemorative coin Golden wedding of Louis III and Maria Theresa |
D | 130 | 5 | |
Duchy of Brunswick Capital: Brunswick; area: 3,672 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Ernest Augustus; Marriage to Victoria Louise (without Lüneburg in the title) |
A | few | ca. 1,700 | |
5 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Ernest Augustus; Marriage to Victoria Louise (without Lüneburg in the title) |
A | few | ca. 1,400 | |
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Ernest Augustus; Marriage to Victoria Louise |
A | 31,634 | – | |
5 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Ernest Augustus; Mariage to Victoria Louise |
A | 8,600 | available | |
Free Hanseatic City of Bremen Capital: Bremen; area: 256 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1904 | Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen |
J | 100,000 | 200 | |
5 Mark | 1906 | Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen |
J | 40,846 | 600 | |
Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Capital: Hamburg; area: 415 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876–1878 1880 1883 1888 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
J | 4,811,142 98,936 60,446 99,820 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1875–1876 1888 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
J | 1,215,661 40,363 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1892–1893 1896 1898–1908 1911–1914 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
J | 286,775 286,434 7,329,908 715,833 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1914 | Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
J | 4,654,966 | available | |
5 Mark | 1891 1893–1896 1898–1908 1913 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
J | 59,409 234,400 2,585,475 326,800 |
available | |
Grand Duchy of Hesse Capital: Darmstadt; area: 7,688 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876–1877 | Circulation coin Louis III |
H | 540,108 | available | |
5 Mark | 1875–1876 | Circulation coin Louis III |
H | 438,485 | available | |
2 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Louis IV |
A | 22,350 | 500 | |
5 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Louis IV |
A | 8,940 | 400 | |
2 Mark | 1891 | Circulation coin Louis IV |
A | 62,650 | available | |
5 Mark | 1891 | Circulation coin Louis IV |
A | 25,060 | available | |
2 Mark | 1895–1896 1898–1900 |
Circulation coin Ernest Louis |
A | 62,650 96,600 |
200 688 | |
5 Mark | 1895 1898–1900 |
Circulation coin Ernest Louis |
A | 39,380 73,280 |
200 566 | |
2 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin 400th birthday Philip the Magnanimous |
A | 100,000 | 2,250 | |
5 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin 400th birthday Philip the Magnanimous |
A | 40,000 | 700 | |
3 Mark | 1910 | Circulation coin Ernest Louis |
A | 200,000 | 500 | |
3 Mark | 1917 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of Ernest Louis |
A | few | ca. 1,330 | |
Principality of Lippe Capital: Detmold; area: 1,215 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1906 | Circulation coin Leopold IV |
A | 20,000 | 1,100 | |
3 Mark | 1913 | Circulation coin Leopold IV |
A | 15,000 | 100 | |
Free City of Lübeck Capital: Lübeck; area: 298 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1901 | Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Lübeck |
A | 25,000 | 250 | |
2 Mark | 1904–1907 1911–1912 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Lübeck |
A | 100,000 50,000 |
578 | |
3 Mark | 1908–1914 | Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Lübeck |
A | 174,002 | available | |
5 Mark | 1904 1907–1908 1913 |
Circulation coin Coat of arms of the Free and Hanseatic City of Lübeck |
A | 10,000 20,000 6,000 |
200 available | |
Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Capital: Schwerin; area: 13,127 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876 | Circulation coin Frederick Francis II |
A | 300,000 | – | |
2 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of Frederick Francis IV on coming of age |
A | 50,000 | 1,000 | |
2 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin Wedding of Frederick Francis IV and Alexandra |
A | 100,000 | 6,000 | |
5 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin Wedding of Frederick Francis IV and Alexandra |
A | 40,000 | 2,500 | |
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Grand Duchy |
A | 33,334 | available | |
5 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Grand Duchy |
A | 10,000 | available | |
Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Capital: Neustrelitz; area: 2,929 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1877 | Circulation coin Frederick William |
A | 100,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1905 | Circulation coin Adolphus Frederick V |
A | 10,000 | 2,500 | |
3 Mark | 1913 | Circulation coin Adolphus Frederick V |
A | 7,000 | available | |
Grand Duchy of Oldenburg Capital: Oldenburg; area: 6,424 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1891 | Circulation coin Nicolas Frederick Peter |
A | 100,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1900–1901 | Circulation coin Frederick Augustus |
A | 175,000 | 260 | |
5 Mark | 1900–1901 | Circulation coin Frederick Augustus |
A | 30,000 | 170 | |
Kingdom of Prussia Capital: Berlin; area: 348,780 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint(n) |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876–1877 1879–1880 1883–1884 |
Circulation coin William I |
A, B, C A A |
28,827,953 693,975 304,640 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1874–1876 | Circulation coin William I |
A, B, C | 7,562,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Frederick III |
A | 500,000 | available | |
5 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin Frederick III |
A | 200,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin William II |
A | 140,512 | available | |
5 Mark | 1888 | Circulation coin William II |
A | 56,204 | available | |
2 Mark | 1891–1893 1896 1898–1908 1911–1912 |
Circulation coin William II |
A | 1,674,000 1,771,853 45,395,392 1,914,288 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1912 | Circulation coin William II |
A | 22,660,469 | available | |
5 Mark | 1891–1896 1898–1904 1906–1908 |
Circulation coin William II |
A | 1,886,723 11,273,459 5,363,880 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of Prussia |
A | 2,600,000 | available | |
5 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of Prussia |
A | 460,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1910 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the University of Berlin |
A | 200,000 | 2,000 | |
3 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the University of Breslau |
A | 400,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1913 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Wars of Liberation against France |
A | 1,500,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1913 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Wars of Liberation against France |
A | 2,000,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1913 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of William II |
A | 1,500,000 | 5,000 | |
3 Mark | 1913 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of William II |
A | 2,000,000 | 6,000 | |
3 Mark | 1914 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of William II (without laurel branch and date) |
A | 2,564,101 | available | |
5 Mark | 1913–1914 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign of William II (without laurel branch and date) |
A | 3,548,891 | available | |
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the accession of the County of Mansfeld to the Prussia |
A | 30,000 | 550 | |
Principality of Reuss Elder Line Capital: Greiz; area: 316 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1877 | Circulation coin Henry XXII |
B | 20,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1892 | Circulation coin Henry XXII |
A | 10,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1899 1901 |
Circulation coin Henry XXII |
A | 10,000 10,000 |
120 | |
3 Mark | 1909 | Circulation coin Henry XXIV |
A | 10,000 | 400 | |
Principality of Reuss Younger Line Capital: Gera; area: 827 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1884 | Circulation coin Henry XIV |
A | 100,000 | available | |
Kingdom of Saxony Capital: Dresden; area: 14,995 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876–1877 1879–1880 1883 1888 |
Circulation coin Albert |
E | 2,409,431 93,619 55,700 90,995 |
– | |
5 Mark | 1875–1876 1889 |
Circulation coin Albert |
E | 1,129,109 36,397 |
– | |
2 Mark | 1891 1893 1895–1896 1898–1902 |
Circulation coin Albert |
E | 130,375 130,375 260,802 1,874,049 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1891 1893–1895 1898–1902 |
Circulation coin Albert |
E | 52,150 216,249 715,964 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1902 | Commemorative coin Death of Albert |
E | 167,625 | 250 | |
5 Mark | 1902 | Commemorative coin Death of Albert |
E | 100,000 | 250 | |
2 Mark | 1903–1904 | Circulation coin George |
E | 2,011,984 | >50 | |
5 Mark | 1903–1904 | Circulation coin George |
E | 826,941 | 50 | |
2 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin Death of George |
E | 150,000 | 55 | |
5 Mark | 1904 | Commemorative coin Death of George |
E | 37,200 | 70 | |
2 Mark | 1905–1908 1911–1912 1914 |
Circulation coin Frederick Augustus III |
E | 2,570,909 353,875 298,000 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1913 | Circulation coin Frederick Augustus III |
E | 3,485,188 | available | |
5 Mark | 1907–1908 1914 |
Circulation coin Frederick Augustus III |
E | 715,344 298,000 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1909 | Commemorative coin 500th anniversary of the University of Leipzig |
E | 125,000 | 300 | |
5 Mark | 1909 | Commemorative coin 500th anniversary of the University of Leipzig |
E | 50,000 | 300 | |
3 Mark | 1913 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Battle of Leipzig |
E | 999,999 | 17,000 | |
3 Mark | 1917 | Commemorative coin Commemorative coin on the 400th anniversary of the Reformation in 1917 |
E | – | 100 | |
Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg Capital: Altenburg; area: 1,324 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 75th birthday of Ernest I |
A | 50,000 | 500 | |
5 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 75th birthday of Ernest I |
A | 20,000 | 500 | |
5 Mark | 1903 | Commemorative coin 50th anniversary of the reign of Ernest I |
A | 20,000 | 300 | |
Duchies of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1895 | Circulation coin Alfred |
A | 15,000 | available | |
5 Mark | 1895 | Circulation coin Alfred |
A | 4,000 | – | |
2 Mark | 1905 1911 |
Circulation coin Charles Edward |
A | 10,000 |
2,000 100 | |
5 Mark | 1907 | Circulation coin Charles Edward |
A | 10,000 | – | |
Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen Capital: Meiningen; area: 2,468 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 75th birthday of George II |
D | 20,000 | – | |
5 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin 75th birthday of George II |
D | 20,000 | – | |
2 Mark | 1902 1913 |
Circulation coin George II |
D | 20,000 5000 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908 1913 |
Circulation coin George II |
D | 35,000 20,000 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1902 1908 |
Circulation coin George II |
D | 20,000 60,000 |
– | |
2 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Death of George II |
D | 30,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Death of George II |
D | 30,000 | available | |
Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach Capital: Weimar; area: 3,595 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1892 | Commemorative coin Golden wedding of Charles Alexander and Sophie |
A | 50,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1898 | Commemorative coin 80th birthday of Charles Alexander |
A | 100,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1901 | Commemorative coin Inauguration of the reign of William Ernest |
A | 100,000 | available | |
2 Mark | 1903 | Commemorative coin Marriage of William Ernest and Caroline |
A | 40,000 | 1,000 | |
5 Mark | 1903 | Commemorative coin Marriage of William Ernest and Caroline |
A | 24,000 | 1,000 | |
2 Mark | 1908 | Commemorative coin 350th anniversary of the University of Jena |
A | 50,000 | – | |
5 Mark | 1908 | Commemorative coin 350th anniversary of the University of Jena |
A | 40,000 | – | |
3 Mark | 1910 | Commemorative coin Marriage of William Ernest and Feodora |
A | 133,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1915 | Commemorative coin Centenary of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach |
A | 50,000 | 200 | |
Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe Capital: Bückeburg; area: 340 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1898 1904 |
Circulation coin George |
A | 5,000 5,000 |
162 200 | |
5 Mark | 1898 1904 |
Circulation coin George |
A | 3,000 3,000 |
90 200 | |
3 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin Death of George |
A | 50,000 | available | |
Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt Capital: Rudolstadt; area: 941 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1898 | Circulation coin Günther Victor |
A | 100,000 | 375 | |
Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Capital: Sondershausen; area: 862 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1896 | Circulation coin Charles Günther |
A | 50,000 | 190 | |
2 Mark | 1905 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign Charles Günther |
A | 75,000 | 10,000 | |
3 Mark | 1909 | Commemorative coin Death of Charles Günther |
A | 70,000 | >100 | |
Principalities of Waldeck and Pyrmont | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
5 Mark | 1903 | Circulation coin Frederick |
A | 2,000 | 300 | |
Kingdom of Württemberg Capital: Stuttgart; area: 19,507 km2 | ||||||
Image | Denominations | Year(s) of issue | Circulation/Commemorative coin Occasion/motif |
Location of mint |
Number minted | |
MS | PF | |||||
2 Mark | 1876–1877 1880 1883 1888 |
Circulation coin Charles |
F | 2,661,777 128,943 73,872 123,140 |
available | |
5 Mark | 1874–1876 1888 |
Circulation coin Charles |
F | 1,326,926 49,258 |
available | |
2 Mark | 1892–1893 1896 1898–1908 1912–1914 |
Circulation coin William II |
F | 351,055 351,031 9,115,537 794,753 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1908–1914 | Circulation coin William II |
F | 5,318,469 | ||
5 Mark | 1892–1895 1898–1908 1913 |
Circulation coin William II |
F | 361,134 3,237,225 401,200 |
available | |
3 Mark | 1911 | Commemorative coin Silver wedding of William II and Charlotte |
F | 500,000 | available | |
3 Mark | 1916 | Commemorative coin 25th anniversary of the reign William II |
F | 1,000 | – |
Features
editEmbossing errors/deviations
editThe following embossing variations are known:[1]
- A stamping error on some coins is the incorrect marginal writing OTT with UNS, e.g. on some 3 Mark circulation coins in Anhalt from 1909 and some 5 Mark coins from Prussia with the image of William II.
- The 5 Mark coin of Württemberg from 1908 has the marginal writing OTT MI UNS on some coins.
- The word BADEN is written on some 5 Mark coins from Baden from 1875-1891 without a slash inside the A, i.e.: BΛDEN.
- In the case of the Baden 5 Mark circulation coins from 1913, it happens that the D in BADEN is open at the top.
- "Ottos Locken" on Bavaria's 5 and 2 mark coins from 1888 to 1913
- Open/closed forelock: Otto's originally closed forelock became an open forelock due to the polishing of the die.
- Curls above the ear: Due to stamping differences, there are either multiple curls or one large curl above the ear.
- 2 and 5 Mark Saxe-Meiningen: The 2 and 5 Mark coins of Saxe-Meiningen have two different variants:
- The Duke's beard is approximately 1.5mm from the bead circle.
- The beard touches the beading.
Other features
edit- Bremen originally wanted to mint a 3 Mark coin in 1914. However, the outbreak of the First World War prevented this.
- Mecklenburg-Schwerin had planned to mint 2 and 5 mark coins in 1919 for the 500th anniversary of the University of Rostock.
In Prussia, in 1915, a commemorative mint was planned for Bismarck's 100th birthday.
The fact that, due to high demand, the number of coins would have exceeded 100 million and thus been higher than the number for the Wars of Liberation coin or 25th anniversary of William II's reign (about 9 million), showed Bismarck's greater popularity over the Emperor, which is why the plan was dropped.[1]
See also
editReferences
editLiterature
editBasis of the article
- Jaeger, K. and H. Kahnt (2009). Die deutschen Münzen seit 1871. 21st edn., Regenstauf: Gietl, ISBN 978-3-86646-521-3.
Other sources
- MICHEL: Münzen-Katalog Deutschland 2009. Schwaneberger, Unterschleißheim 2009, ISBN 978-3-87858-589-3.
- P. Arnold, H. Küthmann, D. Steinhilber, D. Faßbender: Großer Deutscher Münzkatalog von 1800 bis heute. Gietl, Regenstauf 2008, ISBN 978-3-86646-035-5.
- H. Caspar: Der König rief, and alle, alle kamen: Ein Streifzug durch die Münzgeschichte des deutschen Kaiserreichs 1871 bis 1918. money trend Verlag, Wien 2009, ISBN 978-3-9502268-7-4.