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3 Mark - William II
| Issuer | German Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 1908-1912 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 3 Mark |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Central device depicting the Imperial German Eagle displayed, with wings spread and head turned to the left, surmounted by the Imperial crown. The eagle's breast bears the Hohenzollern shield, and elaborate baroque mantling and scrollwork fill the lower field. Two six-pointed stars flank the lower legend DREI MARK, which is inscribed along the bottom arc. The peripheral legend DEUTSCHES REICH arcs across the upper field, with the date flanking the right side of the design. The entire composition is enclosed within a beaded inner border consistent with the obverse. |
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| Edge | Lettered |
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| Additional information |
Prussia's 3 Mark denomination was introduced in 1908 as part of the imperial coinage reform that replaced the heavier 2 and 5 Mark pieces in everyday commerce — a practical response to silver hoarding driven by rising metal prices. The Berlin Mint (A) handled the bulk of production, though examples from Hamburg (J) turn up with notably lower survival rates in collectible grades.
Wilhelm II's relationship with his coinage was not incidental; he personally involved himself in approving portrait designs, famously rejecting several proposals before sanctioning the imagery used across this series.