Obverse: identify the front

The illustrated obverse reads 1 MARK inside a wreath, DEUTSCHES REICH around it and 1905 below. This complete denomination/date face follows the reference’s obverse convention for both Empire mark designs. A similar wreath appears on the half mark, so read the fraction or whole numeral instead of identifying a coin from approximate size. The natural wear in the photograph is retained and is not a condition assessment of another specimen.

Reverse: identify the back

The reverse photograph shows the later crowned imperial eagle with shield and G below, matching the KM14 description. KM7 uses an earlier eagle design within the same nominal silver standard. Both designs are supported but the 1905-G picture illustrates only the later type. A reference image does not represent every dated mint combination, prove finish or replace examination of both faces and the edge of a customer coin.

History and purpose

The Empire mark melt heading spans 1873–1916, while the reference’s KM7 and KM14 records distinguish the earlier and later eagle designs. Both retain the same .900 silver standard. The Weimar period later uses a different .500 standard for its Mark/Reichsmark coins, so a similar denomination is not evidence of equal silver content. Preserve type, full date and mint letter with a collection record instead of grouping every German mark together.

How to identify this variant

Confirm 1 MARK, the complete date, mint letter and KM7 or KM14 eagle design. The source-backed nominal references are 5.55 g, .900 silver and 24-mm diameter. Measure an actual specimen separately; wear, alterations or a different denomination can affect what you observe. Earlier regional coins and later Weimar Mark/Reichsmark standards remain outside this calculator, even where the name or appearance seems similar.

Understanding its metal content

One matching Empire mark contributes .1606 reference fine silver troy ounce; three total .4818 ounce and 16.65 nominal gross grams. The nominal fine-silver mass is 5.55 g × .900 = 4.995 g per coin. The calculator retains the designated reference ounces consistently. A mixed lot of Empire .900 marks and Weimar .500 coins needs separate rows; equal denomination names do not imply equal metal content.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

Accepted issue years: 1873–1883, 1885–1887, 1891–1894, 1896, 1898–1916. These are the specific annual dates verified in the inspected records, not a guarantee of every mint/finish combination or an expansion of aggregate proof ranges. Retain the full dated type when identifying a coin.

Two designs with a shared silver standard

KM7 — earlier eagle

The annual records support 1873–1883 and 1885–1887. Mint letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and J occur across different dates. An undated common-date proof entry supplies no additional year. The reference places the denomination/wreath on the obverse and a crowned imperial eagle on the reverse.

KM14 — eagle with shield

Annual records support 1891–1894, 1896 and 1898–1916. The 1905-G reference photos show this later design. The reference notes production beginning in 1890, but its inspected annual table has no individual 1890 entry. Aggregate proof ranges 1891–1900 and 1901–1916 cannot independently establish a missing annual proof date. These unresolved rows are not expanded into the accepted year list.

Listed overdates

The later table includes 1900/800-D, 1900/801-D, 1901/800-D, 1901/801-D and 1903/803-D. Read the actual digits and mint mark before assigning a variety. A date alone cannot distinguish regular from proof finish, establish grade or authenticate a coin.

Melt value versus collector value

Keep the exact year, mint letter, design, finish and provenance with each piece. A catalogue overdate or proof entry must be attributed on the actual coin; it does not turn every similar example into that variety. Reference metal content alone does not determine collector interest or grade. Preserve old labels and packaging with the correct coin, avoid cleaning, and request specialist assessment where a variety, unusual surface or condition could affect its value.

Authenticity and condition

Provide photographs of both complete faces and the edge, together with measured mass and diameter when available. Include every visible date digit, the full denomination and mint letter. Matching the illustrations is an identification aid, not proof of authenticity or an assay. Wear, plating, alteration and mistaken attribution require examination of the actual specimen. Keep unresolved pieces separate until the type and nominal composition can be established.

Selling this coin

Sort identified .900 Empire marks away from half marks and .500 Weimar denominations before entering quantity. The existing quote form carries the selected profile and quantity with your photographs and notes. Live dollar pricing remains unavailable. Reference ounces describe theoretical silver content and are not a purchase offer, collectible valuation or promise of recoverable metal.

Sources and calculation methodology

The designated reference world-silver melt table specifies 5.55 g gross mass, .900 fineness and .1606 fine silver troy ounce. Both KM7 and KM14 dated records agree on these fields and supply a 24-mm catalogue diameter. Thickness, edge and the identity of the remaining alloy metals are not independently verified. Catalogue figures are nominal references, not an assay or authentication of a customer specimen. Actual annual rows and independent photograph permissions were inspected on 2026-10-11. Tuxyso’s two Commons pages independently grant CC BY-SA 3.0. The actual downloaded 960-pixel full-face previews are converted to WebP at those dimensions and retain that licence with visible attribution. No coin artwork is generated, enlarged, changed or cropped away. Unresolved dates and source discrepancies remain explicit rather than silently corrected.

Common questions

References

• NGC: designated world-silver melt table — identity; weight; .900 fineness; controlling ASW 0.1606oz; broad date envelope (checked 2026-10-11)
• NGC: KM7 early mark dated type — identity; dates from specific annual rows; design; weight; fineness; ASW; diameter; unresolved rows disclosed (checked 2026-10-11)
• NGC: KM14 later mark dated type — identity; dates from specific annual rows; design; weight; fineness; ASW; diameter; unresolved rows disclosed (checked 2026-10-11)
• Tuxyso: 1905 1 Mark obverse and licence — genuine design photograph; creator; CC BY-SA 3.0 permission (checked 2026-10-11)
• Tuxyso: 1905 1 Mark reverse and licence — genuine design photograph; creator; CC BY-SA 3.0 permission (checked 2026-10-11)

Issue-year references

• NGC: KM7 early mark dated type
• NGC: KM14 later mark dated type

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-11. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

German Empire Silver Half Mark — .900 KM17

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

Germany • 90% silver; remaining alloy metals not independently verified

Issue years: 1905–1909, 1911–1919

Fine silver: 0.080400 troy oz

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Weimar Silver Mark / Reichsmark — .500 Issues

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

Germany • 50% silver; remaining alloy metals not verified

Issue years: 1924–1927

Fine silver: 0.080400 troy oz

Add to collection