Brief German History
Although the word German was used by the Romans relating to a tribe in that area, the area known now as Germany has evolved over a long period of time into its modern form. The Holy Roman Empire was split into three parts by Charlemagne at the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD, each of his three sons getting one part. Louis the German received the eastern part corresponding roughly to modern Germany, although nominally still subject to his brother Lothair I who received the Low Countries and retained the Imperial title.

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.

The Mark
Although Bismarck created a central bank, a unified legal system, and a common currency, individual states were still entitled to issue gold and silver coins with denominations over 1 mark, and the smaller currency units were issued by the empire. The mark had long been a unit of account in much of Europe being equivalent to two thirds of a pound. Before unification German states issued gold coins using many different standards including ducats, goldgulden, carolins, gulden, thalers, krone, maximilians (d'or), fredericks, friederichs, wilhelms, pistoles, pistolens, franks (franken), karolins, with multiples and fractions. Even though there is such a variety of denominations, only about 40 of the states ever issued gold coins, many of them using coins of a neighboring state. Since 1871, the standard gold coins has been 20 marks, although 10 marks and 5 mark coins were also produced, but in smaller quantities. The most prolific state for issuing coins was Prussia, as the largest, wealthiest and most influential, so that the most commonly encountered German gold coins are the 20 mark pieces of Prussia. These were issued from 1871 to 1915.

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
Krause Number 521
Type issued from 1890 to 1913 inclusive.
Obverse
Bare head of King Wilhelm II facing right.
WILLHELM II DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V PREUSSEN
Reverse
Crowned arms of Germany, a spread eagle.
DEUTSCHES REICH (Date)
20 MARK
Edge
The edge has incuse cinquefoils and leaves with the incuse lettering:-
GOTT MIT UNS

Prussian Gold Coins
Prices & Availability

Date	Denomination	Denomination	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1872 A	20 Marks	KM 501. Head of Wilhelm I	good VF	7,717,000	Ask	£85	$135
1883 A	20 Marks	KM 505. Head of Wilhelm I	good VF	4,283,000	Ask	£75	$120
1888 A	20 Marks	KM 505. Head of Wilhelm I	almost EF	5,364,000	Ask	£95	$150
1888 A	20 Marks	KM 515. Head of Friedrich III	good VF	5,364,000	Ask	£80	$125
1894 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	good VF		Yes	£65	$99
1895 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	good VF		Yes	£65	$99
1897 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	EF		Ask	£75	$115
1898 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	good VF		Yes	£65	$99
1902 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	about EF		Yes	£65	$99
1908 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	about EF		Yes	£65	$99
1910 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	about EF		Yes	£65	$99
1912 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	about EF		Yes	£65	$99
1913 A	20 Marks	KM 521. Head of Wilhelm II	about EF		Ask	£Ask	$Ask
1913 A	20 Marks	KM 537. Bust of Wilhelm II	about EF		Yes	£125	$250
1914 A	20 Marks	KM 537. Bust of Wilhelm II	about EF		Ask	£Ask	$Ask
1915 A	20 Marks	KM 537. Bust of Wilhelm II	about EF		Ask	£Ask	$Ask
Our Choice	20 Marks	Our Choice	Bullion Grade		Yes	£54	$85
Our Choice	20 Marks	Our Choice	Selected Grade		Yes	£60	$95

Quantity Purchases
For investors or collectors wishing to buy 20 Marks in quantity of 10 pieces or more, we can usually quote very competitive bullion rates on request.

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

German States - Bavaria
German States - Hamburg

Last Deutsche Mark - 2001
First Gold Euros of Germany 2002

2004 €100 Gold Proof City of Bamberg

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including German gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.