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5 Pfennig - Wilhelm ll Countermark '5' on 10 pfennig
| Issuer | Kiau Chau |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
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| Obverse description | Uniformed bust of Kaiser Wilhelm II facing forward, depicted with a characteristic peaked military cap and beard, occupying the central field. A large countermarked numeral '5' appears prominently to the right of the effigy. The coin features a beaded border encircling the design. The bust is rendered in moderate relief with fine detail on the uniform epaulettes and cap badge. No legend surrounds the portrait. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | 5 |
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| Additional information |
When Japanese forces besieged the German-leased territory of Kiauchau in August 1914, the garrison found itself cut off from resupply — including coin shipments. To address an acute shortage of small change, the German colonial authorities countermarked existing 10 Pfennig pieces with a stamped '5', effectively halving their face value and doubling the number of coins in circulation. The siege ended with German surrender in November 1914, making the entire issue a product of roughly ten weeks of wartime improvisation.