Coins of Germany

Germany. 5 Reichsmark. 1925-D

Common, scarce and rare German coins at Mintmark.com.

"The Goldmark (officially just Mark, sign: ℳ) was the currency used in the German Empire from 1873 to 1914. Before unification, the different German states issued a variety of different currencies, though most were linked to the Vereinsthaler, a silver coin containing 16-2/3 grams of pure silver. Although the Mark was based on gold rather than silver, a fixed exchange rate between the Vereinsthaler and the Mark of 3 Mark = 1 Vereinsthaler was used for the conversion. Southern Germany had used the Gulden as the standard unit of account, which was worth 4⁄7 of a Vereinsthaler and, hence, became worth 1.71 (15⁄7) Mark in the new currency. Bremen had used a gold-based Thaler which was converted directly to the Mark at a rate of 1 gold Thaler = 3.32 (39⁄28) Mark. Hamburg had used its own Mark prior to 1873. This was replaced by the Goldmark at a rate of 1 Hamburg Mark = 1.2 Goldmark. From January 1, 1876 onwards, the Mark became the only legal tender. The name Goldmark was created later to distinguish it from the Papiermark (paper mark) which suffered a massive loss of value through hyperinflation following World War I (see inflation in the Weimar Republic). The Goldmark was on a gold standard with 2790 Mark equal to 1 kilogram of pure gold (1 Mark = 358mg). From 1900 to 1933, the United States adhered to a gold standard as well, with the value of the dollar being fixed at a price of one-twentieth ounce (troy weight) of gold. The gold mark therefore had a value of approximately U.S. $0.25. Coins of denominations between 1 Pfennig and 1 Mark were issued in standard designs for the whole Empire, while those above 1 Mark were issued by the individual states, using a standard design for the reverses (the Reichsadler, the eagle insignia of the German Empire) with a design specific to the state on the obverse, generally a portrait of the monarch, with the free cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck each using its municipal coat of arms. Many of the smaller states issued coins in very small numbers and these are thus extremely rare and valuable. The Principality of Lippe was the only state not to issue any gold coins in this period . . ." — German gold mark at Wikipedia. This version was edited and (or) revised by Mintmark.com

★ German coins on eBay. Offers not visible? Refresh this page. Not on eBay?

New Member Registration for eBay.

● See other world coins.

● Before you buy the coin, buy the book.

● Discount Coin Supplies at Jake's Marketplace, Inc.

Home | About | User Agreement | Privacy | Credits