Sell silver marks of the German Empire
The silver coins of the German Empire, from 1873 to the First World War. A simple sum: every mark contains 5 grams of fine silver.
- Purity
- 900‰
- Country
- Germany
- Silver rate
- €1.75/g
What do we pay for a silver mark German Empire?
Based on the silver rate of this moment, €1.75 per gram of fine material. As of:
| Variant | Fine silver | Total weight | We pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mark | 25 g | 27.78 g | €41.93 |
| 3 mark | 15 g | 16.67 g | €25.16 |
| 2 mark | 10 g | 11.11 g | €16.77 |
| 1 mark | 5 g | 5.56 g | €8.39 |
This price applies regardless of the year and the mint. With a rare year or exceptional condition the collector’s value can be higher than the material value – then we say so, even if that means you are better off not selling us the coin.
How we arrive at this amount
A coin is precious metal in a recognisable shape. What it fetches therefore depends almost entirely on the fine weight: the weight of pure silver it contains.
This coin is 900‰ pure. The rest of the alloy – usually copper – makes it harder and scratch-resistant, but has no value. That is why we calculate on the fine weight and not on what the scales say.
Every German state struck its own 2, 3 and 5 marks with its own ruler, but all to the same imperial standard: 5 grams of fine silver per mark.
Not sure whether your coin is genuine? We check weight, diameter, thickness and – if in doubt – the density with X-ray analysis. Non-destructive: your coin stays intact.
Also have a look at today’s silver rate or all silver prices.
Many rulers, one standard
The German Empire let its states strike their own coins. So on a silver 5 marks you will see the Prussian emperor, the king of Bavaria or Saxony, or the arms of a free city such as Hamburg. The weight followed an imperial law: 900 silver, 5 grams of fine silver per mark. The eagle on the reverse is the same for every state.
Rare states and commemoratives
Small states sometimes struck only a few thousand pieces, and such coins are worth far more to collectors than their silver. The same goes for commemoratives, such as weddings and jubilees of ruling houses. The valuer recognises them and assesses them separately.
Ordinary Prussian coins we settle on the silver: weighing, testing the fineness, and an offer at the day’s rate.
How to sell your silver mark German Empire
From walking in to being paid usually takes less than half an hour.
Do not polish it
With collector coins, cleaning can push the value down considerably. A natural patina belongs to them.
Bring it in
With or without an appointment, at one of our 45 locations. If the coin is in a holder, leave it in there.
We assess two values
The precious metal and what the coin itself does: year, mintage and condition. You get the higher of the two.
Paid out straight away
In cash or by bank transfer. Larger amounts reach your account within 24 hours.
Also of interest
- Silver rate todayThe current silver rate per gram and per kilo, updated every minute.View
- All silver pricesWhat we pay per carat or alloy.View
- All coins and barsThe complete list of purchase prices per piece.View
- Spot price, premium and spreadWhy you never get back the premium you paid on purchase.View
Questions about selling silver mark German Empire
How much silver is in an Imperial 5 marks?
Twenty-five grams of fine silver, in a coin of 27.78 grams. A 2 marks contains 10 grams, a 3 marks 15 grams.
Are coins from small German states worth more?
Often, because few were struck. The valuer assesses that separately from the silver weight.
Are the pfennig coins silver too?
The small denominations below the mark were partly silver, partly copper or nickel. Bring them in; we sort and test.
How does it differ from the post-war German mark?
That is a different coin, the Deutsche Mark of the Federal Republic, with its own page. The Imperial mark is older and of a higher fineness.
Is your question not listed? Ask it below, call 085 060 3009 or go to contact.
A question about silver mark German Empire?
Ask it here. You will receive a personal reply by email, usually within one working day – no automated message and no phone call you did not ask for.
- An answer from a valuer, not from a template
- We keep your question so that you need not repeat anything
- No sales pitch afterwards
Sources
Where you can verify what you have just read.
- Koninklijke Nederlandse MuntThe mint that struck the Dutch coins and knows their fineness
- De Nederlandsche BankOn the guilder and exchanging old legal tender
- WaarborgHollandThe Dutch assay office that verifies fineness and strikes hallmarks
Have your silver mark German Empire valued?
Free and without obligation, at a location near you.