Imperial Germany and German States

coinkat

coinkat

EVillageProwler

Both sweet. Quick question: I always thought that 1872 is the demarcation between German States and Imperial Germany eras. Not strictly true? Not a little bit true? Or, am I thinking of 1872 solely because of the Franco-Prussian War? When did Kaiser Wilhelm install von Bismarck as Chancellor?

JCMhouston

Very nice coinkat.



Mostly true EVP, but several of the German States maintained the right to mint coins after unification. Keep in mind that after unification The German Empire consisted of 4 kingdoms, as well as a bunch of grand duchies, duchies, principalities and a couple of free cities. Many of those still had their own royalty running them.

coinkat

I have considered the Imperial Germany Era to extend from the unification of Germany followed by the ending of the Franco-Prussian War so we are looking at 1871-72 through the end of WW I.

The only reason I referenced German States is because some coinage and issuance of postal stamps remained up to the States.

As for the date/year Bismarck became Chancellor, off hand I don't recall. I believe he retired around 1890

Zohar

Very nice coins.

Jackthecat1

After German Unification, the Empire (Deutsches Reich) minted the 1 Pfennig up to 1 Mark coins. The States minted the 2, 3, and 5 Mark silver coins and the 5, 10, and 20 Mark gold pieces. The Kaiser was also King of Prussia as seen on the OP's second posted coin: Deutscher Kaiser Konig v. Preussen; or German Emperor King of Prussia.

renman95

A random sampling of Teutonic coinage? Not really. Each year represents the year of my ancestors birth and the region they were from where applicable.

WillieBoyd2

Nice coins!



I bought this coin for an unusual reason, a similar one was part of the loot of the 1946

Hesse Jewel robbery, committed by three American Army officers stationed in Germany.





Germany Prussia 10 Marks 1888-A (Berlin) - Frederick III

3.98 grams, 0.900 gold, 19mm, NGC graded MS-61



More here:

https://forums.collectors.com/...atid=6&threadid=803295

renman95

Place holder for my paternal Grandfather's birth year.

ProofArtworkonCircs

The North German Confederation voted to rename themselves he German Empire on 10 Dec 1870.

The German Empire was officially proclaimed 18 Jan 1871.

Bismark was appointed the first chancellor on 21 March 1871. He was fired 20 Mar 1890 by Wilhelm II.

The title "German Emperor" was chosen after "Emperor of Germany" and "Emperor of the Germans" were ruled out.

neildrobertson

Originally posted by: EVillageProwler
Both sweet. Quick question: I always thought that 1872 is the demarcation between German States and Imperial Germany eras. Not strictly true? Not a little bit true? Or, am I thinking of 1872 solely because of the Franco-Prussian War? When did Kaiser Wilhelm install von Bismarck as Chancellor?

In 1871, Germany was unified. In a legal act that year or the following they created the new monetary standard based on the 10 Mark gold coin. All coins 1872 and onward were minted using the Germany mark as the currency. There are a few Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz minor coins minted in 1872 based on the mark. As far as I know, those are the only 'german states' coins minted after 1871. In new legislation a few months later, they were demonetized and German Empire minors were legitimate coinage. Individual states were allowed to dictate the amount of gold and silver coins they minted after 1872, but at that point most everything else was standardized.



In the US, you will see gold and silver german coins from 1872-1915 advertised as German States coins in some auctions like Heritage and in coin shops. That's not the prevailing treatment outside of the US (and maybe even inside). They're normally, and more appropriately, treated as being Kaiserreich or German Empire coins most places. This is a pretty common misconception and inconsistency.

ProofArtworkonCircs

I would consider all 1872-1918 coins of greater than 1 mark value as BOTH German Empire and German State coinage. The states had the obverse of the coin all to themselves. Can somebody post a coin of one of the Free and Hanseatic Cities?

Jackthecat1

Coin on the Left is from Lubeck. Bremen and Hamburg similarly placed the city arms in lieu of the ruler's portrait.



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