Gold Mark / German Empire Coins
Also: Imperial gold coin, Wilhelmine gold coin, Reich gold coin
Gold coins of the German Empire (1871–1915), struck in 900 gold (crown gold), today classed as VAT-exempt investment gold.
The Gold Mark refers to the gold coins struck by the German Empire between 1871 and 1915 under the unified Coinage Act of 1873. With the founding of the empire, the Gold Mark replaced the fragmented jumble of coinage of the individual German states and, for the first time, created a common gold-based currency. Anyone buying or selling German Empire coins today is acquiring not only a piece of history but also VAT-exempt investment gold.
Coin denominations and technical data
The empire struck gold coins in three denominations: 5, 10 and 20 Mark. The 20-Mark coin is the most widespread and, for investors, the most relevant version.
| Denomination | Gross weight | Fine weight | Diameter | Fineness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Mark | 1.991 g | 1.792 g | 17.0 mm | 900/1000 |
| 10 Mark | 3.982 g | 3.584 g | 19.5 mm | 900/1000 |
| 20 Mark | 7.965 g | 7.168 g | 22.5 mm | 900/1000 |
All denominations consist of 900 gold (crown gold) – an alloy of 90 % fine gold and 10 % copper, which gives the coin the hardness needed for circulation. You can conveniently calculate the melt value of your coin with the melt value calculator.
Calculating the fine weight
The fine weight follows directly from the gross weight and fineness:
Fine weight = gross weight × fineness
Example 20 Mark: 7.965 g × 0.900 = 7.168 g fine gold
Use the coin weight check to compare the weight of your coin against the target value – deviations of more than 0.1 g can indicate counterfeits or heavy wear.
Variety of issuers
Because the empire consisted of individual states, different mints struck coins for the emperor and the regional princes: Berlin (A), Munich (D), Muldenhütten (E), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G), Hamburg (J) and a few mints that no longer exist. The mint mark (mint letter) is located on the reverse beneath the eagle. Rarer mint letters achieve considerably higher premiums on the numismatic market.
Investment relevance and tax
German Empire gold coins meet the EU criteria for investment gold: a fineness of at least 900/1000 and struck after 1800. In the UK they are therefore exempt from VAT on purchase. On a sale at a profit, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may apply, calculated as disposal proceeds minus acquisition cost above the annual exempt amount; unlike UK legal-tender Royal Mint coins, foreign coins such as the Gold Mark are not CGT-exempt. There is no German-style one-year speculation period in the UK. This note does not replace tax or investment advice.
Checking authenticity and condition
Because of the high gold value, counterfeits exist. Proven testing methods are weight and diameter checks as well as the ping (sound) test. Further guidance is offered by the coin authenticity check. For collectors, the grade of preservation is decisive for price; for investors, the gold price and the contained fine weight are what count.
In brief
German Empire gold coins combine numismatic collector value with the intrinsic value of 7.168 g of fine gold (20 Mark) and are regarded as a classic, tax-advantaged form of physical gold – ideal for investors who want to combine tradition and wealth preservation in a single piece.