Gold Coins from the German Empire
| Material: | 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Weight: | 5 Marks: Gross weight: 1.9912 g, fineness*: 1.7921 g 10 Marks: Gross weight: 3.9825 g, fineness*: 3.5842 g 20 Marks: Gross weight: 7.9649 g, fineness*: 7.1684 g |
| *Fineness: Proportion of pure gold | |
| Period: | 1871 to 1915 |
| Value: | 5 Marks: €150 to €1000 10 Marks: €230 to €1500 20 Marks: €450 to €2500 |
Do you want to sell your gold coins from the German Empire?
Get an unbiased valuation of your gold coins from the German Empire collection and sell them at the best price. Stade Auktionen will guide you to the auction professionally and respectfully.
Gold coins from the German Empire – coveted collector’s items
The gold coins from the era of Kaiser Wilhelm and the German Empire were minted from 1871 to 1915 and consist of an alloy of 90% gold and 10% copper, which made the coins more resistant to abrasion and scratches.
What makes gold coins from the German Empire so unique is the fact that each German state was allowed to design the head side (obverse) of its gold coins itself. For example, the reigning monarchs adorned the obverse of the imperial coins, while the free cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck mainly had their city coats of arms minted on the coins. However, the tail side (reverse) of gold coins from the German Empire are all uniformly marked with the imperial eagle.
Less than 10% of the coins originally minted have survived, which increases the rarity and value of particularly well-preserved coins. The condition of the coins plays a major role, as worn details, scratches or edge defects greatly reduce the collector’s value. However, the gold value is always retained.
Factors determining the value of gold coins from the German Empire
Origin
Prussian gold coins were by far the most frequently minted – today, around 90% of the gold coins still in existence from the German Empire are Prussian.
Gold coins from smaller states of the German Empire, such as Reuss or Mecklenburg-Schwerin, are very rare and have a significantly higher collector’s value.
Age
Gold coins of the German Empire were minted at the time of the emperors Wilhelm I and II between 1871 and 1915.
The gold coins minted during the time of Kaiser Wilhelm I, i.e. before 1890, were in circulation for longer and therefore show considerably more wear. As a result, the value of the particularly well-preserved coins is significantly higher.
Material
The gold coins of the German Empire consist of 90% gold and 10% copper, which makes them more resistant.
This alloy was necessary because gold coins made of pure gold would have been too soft and therefore too susceptible to abrasion and damage.
Rarity
Of the more than 5 billion Reichsmark gold coins minted, it is estimated that less than 10% are still in existence today.
Coins from smaller federal states such as Reuss or Mecklenburg-Schwerin are very rare and therefore fetch higher prices.
Condition
The condition of the coins is a decisive value factor.
Coins in luxury condition often achieve significant price premiums. Worn or scratched coins are less valuable, but the gold value remains.
Especially very early coins (before 1890), which are still in very good condition, achieve significant price premiums. Despite the addition of copper, the coins from the Empire were not particularly abrasion-resistant and are therefore rarely in particularly good condition.
Risk of counterfeiting
Unfortunately, there are also many counterfeits of gold coins of the German Empire in circulation. They are partly made of real gold, partly of base metals.
If you do not have the necessary expertise to recognize them, you should make sure that you only buy from reputable dealers.
Examples of various gold coins from the German Empire
How to sell your coins with Stade Auktionen
Contact us
Contact us by phone, e-mail or via the contact form for personal consultation.
Let us take care of your request
Whether you wish to entrust us with an extensive legacy, your entire collection or parts of it – we will appraise everything with utmost respect.
Your treasures in the best hands
We will make sure that your treasures get into the right hands as quickly as possible.
Our satisfied customers
Our network of partners and collectors from all over the world
Frequently asked questions
Find out everything you need to know about selling your coins.
Coins made of precious metals are particularly popular, as are rare pre-1950 issues from all countries. They retain their original embossing despite defects and signs of use, which makes them unique historical pieces. Stade Auktionen accepts both gold and silver coins.
Individual items usually fetch a higher price. Nevertheless, we should consider together with you when it makes sense to sell individual items and when it makes sense to sell an entire collection. The valuation of a coin collection depends on factors such as age, origin, rarity, condition and material.
The following conditions apply for consignments:
- The consignor may only consign postcards, stamps and other documents over which he has sole control.
- Consignments can be made at any time and will be included in the next auction.
- The starting prices are generally determined by the auction house. They are based on the current market situation.
- The auctioneer is entitled to accept underbids up to a maximum of 20% of the starting price.
- If the consignor withdraws the goods for reasons for which the consignor is responsible, an expense allowance of EUR 100 per hour shall be payable for the inspection and valuation of the items to be auctioned, but at least EUR 100 per order.
- The sales commission for the auctioneer is 22% of the hammer price. If the hammer price is up to 500 euros, the sales commission is 30% and the insurance costs are 1% of the hammer price. The statutory value added tax is levied on this. Postage costs for any returns shall be borne by the consignor. We charge a fee of 2.50 euros per lot for processing large lots and 1 euro for individual lots.
- The auctioneer cannot accept any liability for auctioned goods. He therefore takes out special auction insurance for the account of the customer, which insures the auctioned goods against all risks within the scope of this contract. The sum insured is 1% of the hammer price.
- If the consignor withdraws the goods for reasons for which he is responsible after the auctioneer has already advertised the goods in the catalog or on the Internet, the goods shall be deemed prepared for the auction and the auctioneer shall settle the order with a further expense allowance. This includes the lost commission of 20% of the starting price of the lot. In addition, the processing fee of EUR 25 per lot, up to a maximum of EUR 300, must be reimbursed. Fees for inspections that are necessary, at the auctioneer’s discretion, will be invoiced separately after consultation.
- Billing takes place 6-8 weeks after the auction.
- Advances are possible for good consignments.
- The place of jurisdiction for all parties involved is Lörrach.
We offer you various options for selling your coins with us, depending on the type of coins and your requirements. For advice on direct sales, commission sales or consignments for auction, please contact our experts on +49 7624 – 98 95 870 or at e-mail at einlieferung@stade-auktionen.de. In most cases, we can give you a clear assessment after you have sent us pictures. However, you also have the following options for sending the coins:
- by visiting our premises
- by shipping at your own risk
- by letting us manage the collection of your valuables for transport, 100% insured (costs from €40.00 to max. €80.00 depending on the value).
The following costs apply depending on the value of the goods:
- Value of goods up to €10,000.00: €40
- Value of goods up to €15,000.00: €50
- Value of goods up to €20,000.00: €65
- Value of goods up to €25,000.00: €80
- Value of goods over €25,000.00: please give us a phone call
The surcharge for scheduled shipment within a time window of 4 hours (between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) is €6.00.
The surcharge for scheduled shipment within a time window of 2 hours (between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) is €10.00.
The bank transfer will be made as soon as possible after receipt of the goods.
The value and hence the selling price of old coins depends on factors such as age, origin, rarity, condition and material. Rare coins made of precious metals can fetch high prices when sold. You can find current gold prices in our gold price table.
To determine the value of coins, it is important to consult a specialist such as Stade Auktionen. Specialist knowledge is required to correctly assess the value based on factors such as age, origin, rarity, condition and material.
Sell your coins with Stade Auktionen
Do you want to sell a collection but don’t know how much your coins are worth or how to sell them? Send us a message and we will take care of your request as soon as possible.