German States
For many centuries Germany was in actuality a large number of states, some large, others small, and power rested mainly with the lords of each state. The Hapsburgs attempted to unify Germany ending in the thirty years war 1618 - 1648, which devastated the German economy, and heightened the localisation of power. At this point it is estimated that there were as many as 1,800 separate states some with a population as few as 300 people. Otto von Bismarck was instrumental in unifying most of these states into a modern nation. On April 14th 1871, the king of Prussia, the largest and most powerful state become emperor William I . According to Krause, the new nation consisted of 4 kingdoms, 6 grand duchies and principalities, 3 free cities, and the province of Alsace-Lorraine.

Hamburg
Hamburg is a port in the north of Germany on the River Elbe, about 75 miles from the North Sea. It was founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century, joined the Hanseatic League in 1241, was formally declared a free City in 1510, joined the North German Federation in 1866, became part of the Ferman Empire in 1871, but continued to issue its own coinage until about 1913. It never issued large quantities of gold coins compared with Prussia, so they only turn up relatively infrequently.

Technical Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
20 Marks	22.5	7.9650	.900	.2304
10 Marks	19.5	3.9820	.900	.1152
5 Marks	16	1.9910	.900	.0576

Description of 20 Marks
Obverse
Arms of Hamburg
FREIE UND HANSESTADT HAMBURG
(Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg).
Reverse
Crowned arms of Germany, a spread eagle.
DEUTSCHES REICH 1893
20 Mark
Edge
The edge has incuse cinquefoils and leaves with the incuse lettering:-
GOTT MIT UNS

Hamburg Gold Coins
Prices & Availability

Date	Denomination	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1893 J	20 Marks	VF, but Edge Knocks	246,000	Yes	£85	$135

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £6 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Quantity Rates for German Gold 20 Marks
We never have Hamburg 20 marks in quantity, only Prussia ones. Please see our Germany page.

Last Deutsche Mark - 2001
First Gold Euros of Germany 2002