Obverse: identify the front

Wilhelm I faces right. The legend names him as German emperor and king of Prussia; a B appears below the portrait on this specimen. Read PREUSSEN rather than selecting a coin only because it has a male royal portrait. Other German states used their own rulers on the same imperial denomination.

Reverse: identify the back

A crowned imperial eagle carries a shield. DEUTSCHES REICH appears above; 20, M and 1873 appear below on this earlier reverse. Later reverse layouts may spell MARK differently. Capture the full denomination and date so a small crop does not remove the information needed to select the correct coin.

History and purpose

The complete Prussian twenty-mark classification spans 1871–1915 in PCGS’s set registry. The reference separately identifies the earlier Wilhelm I subtype and discusses later Wilhelm II issues. The photographed earlier emperor does not represent every portrait in the family, and a broad imperial melt-table date range does not replace the narrower Prussian attribution.

How to identify this variant

Read the Prussian ruler legend, twenty-mark denomination and actual date together. The normal diameter is approximately 22.5 mm in the original numismatic research reference. Ten-mark pieces have a smaller nominal gold content. Measure the actual coin without treating diameter or apparent color as a chemical assay.

Understanding its metal content

The calculator follows the cited 0.2305 troy oz fine-gold amount; three correctly identified coins total 0.6915 troy oz. The separately reported nominal mass calculation is 7.9649 g × 0.9 = 7.16841 g, or approximately 0.230470 troy oz. Published rounding can make these displays differ; the source precision note records the distinction. The calculator does not measure wear or determine an actual purchase offer.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

Record the emperor, mint letter, eagle design and edge. The 1873-B specimen is an earlier Wilhelm I issue; later portraits and reverse arrangements must be attributed independently. The photographed faces do not reveal the edge inscription or establish an unphotographed specimen’s mint.

Melt value versus collector value

The reference’s original counterfeit study documents an altered late-series date. Preserve a suspicious date and rim for examination rather than assuming every twenty mark trades solely for metal. A photograph of a normal early example does not rule out alteration, mounting or an unusual variety in a customer lot.

Authenticity and condition

Read the denomination, both face designs, full date and mint details together before choosing a calculator entry. Keep photographs of the rim and any original holder with the record. Measure an intact coin using a suitable scale and caliper; do not clean, scratch or bend it to test the metal. Reference photographs illustrate a design and do not authenticate or grade another specimen. An unfamiliar date, mount or altered detail warrants individual examination.

Selling this coin

Keep this denomination separate from similar-looking smaller coins and from other alloys. Count only examples whose type has been identified; set uncertain pieces aside for appraisal. Record quantities, readable dates, mint details and both-side photographs using the existing quote form. The prefilled context helps identify the lot, while nominal metal content, collector assessment and any actual offer remain separate.

Sources and calculation methodology

The owner-selected melt table gives 7.9649 g and .2305 oz AGW. The earlier the reference Prussian type record rounds gross mass to 7.9650 g; the named melt table takes priority for uncertain metal input. Dates and ruler attribution are checked independently. The diameter research citation is retained privately pending its public-host review. The owner selected reference as the deciding reference when metal specifications disagree. Source photographs, their reuse rights and face assignments are reviewed separately. These are reference specifications, not a first-party assay or a current market quote. No approved live price feed is configured, so dollar melt values remain unavailable. Dates of review reflect actual editorial work.

Common questions

References

• NGC: world gold melt specifications — identity imperial twenty mark; weight 7.9649 g; fineness .900; AGW .2305 oz; state attribution checked separately (checked 2026-10-10)
• NGC: earlier Prussian twenty mark KM501 — identity; dates 1871–1873; design Wilhelm I/imperial eagle; edge inscription; type record rounds weight 7.9650 g (checked 2026-10-10)
• PCGS: complete Prussian twenty-mark classification — identity; full dates 1871–1915; distinct Prussian issue scope (checked 2026-10-10)
• NGC: original altered-date examination — late-series Wilhelm II identity; altered date; original expert examination, no authentication of customer coin (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: complete Prussian twenty-mark circulation dates

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-10. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Wilhelmina Dutch Gold 10 Gulden

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

Netherlands • 90.0% gold; balance alloy metal

Issue years: 1892, 1895, 1897–1898, 1911–1913, 1917, 1925–1927, 1932–1933

Fine gold: 0.194700 troy oz

Add to collection

Napoleon III French Gold 20 Francs

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

France • 90% gold; 10% alloy metal

Issue years: 1853–1870

Fine gold: 0.186682 troy oz

Add to collection