2 Mark - Wilhelm I Pattern

Pattern coinage from the German Empire's currency consolidation period — the Mark system was formally introduced in 1871–1873, replacing the patchwork of pre-unification state currencies, and the Berlin Mint produced aluminium trial pieces as part of the ongoing evaluation of metal choices for the new circulating denominations. Aluminium was seriously considered by several European mints in the 1870s before being largely rejected for general circulation due to its tendency to accumulate surface grime and its poor acoustic quality when handled.

KM# Pn10 is one of the more elusive survivors of that experimental phase.