German 20 Mark
Germany · gold · 1871-1915
Overview
The 20 Mark gold coin was struck from 1871 to 1915 by the German Empire born of unification: the currency was common, but each state kept its own sovereign on the obverse, so that one meets Wilhelm I, Friedrich III and Wilhelm II for Prussia, the kings of Bavaria, Saxony or Württemberg, or the arms of free cities such as Hamburg. The reverse carries the imperial eagle; a mint letter (A for Berlin, D for Munich, J for Hamburg, among others) indicates the place of striking. The coin weighs 7.965 g of 900 ‰ gold, that is 7.168 g of fine gold, with a diameter of 22.5 mm. This diversity of effigies for a single standard is why the coin trades by its fine gold weight, whatever the issuing state. At Gold & Silver Company in Dottignies, every 20 Mark is weighed and appraised in front of the person; the assay in the agency is what counts.
Characteristics
| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Metal | gold |
| Gross weight | 7.965 g |
| Fineness | 900 ‰ |
| Fine metal | 7.168 g |
| Diameter | 22.5 mm |
| Years of issue | 1871-1915 |
How to check it
Indicative check: weigh the coin to the centigram and measure its diameter with callipers; a deviation of more than 0.1 g or 0.2 mm from the reference values warrants an examination in the agency. The assay in the agency is what counts.
At Gold & Silver Company
Every coin is weighed and appraised in front of the person, at the agency in Dottignies (Mouscron); the price is set at the rate of the moment of the transaction and is never published in advance.
Welcome policy: for gold, Gold & Silver Company receives by appointment from one kilogram; below that, no appointment is needed during opening hours; for silver, no appointment is needed whatever the quantity.
Related terms
Further reading
Sources
Characteristics checked against the reference numismatic catalogues and the issuers' official specifications (September 2026). The appraisal in the agency is what counts.