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Many collectors with years of experience in numismatics, for instance, in collecting coins of Tsarist Russia or the Soviet Union, sooner or later turn their attention to other areas. Beautiful German coins can often be found in their albums.
Many collectors with years of experience in numismatics, for instance, in collecting coins of Tsarist Russia or the Soviet Union, sooner or later turn their attention to other areas. Beautiful German coins can often be found in their albums.
Thus, after more than 15 years of experience collecting Russian and Soviet coins, an interest in the numismatics of the German Empire arose about five years ago. This transition opened up a new and promising area for collecting and investment.
About 5-7 years ago, many collectors viewed German coins (Deutsches Reich) with a certain irony, similar to how they once viewed American Morgan or Peace dollars. However, time has shown that this attitude was mistaken, as the prices for these coins have significantly increased.
Collections often featured various denominations: five-mark, three-mark, and two-mark coins. Today, it is clear that the missed opportunity to acquire high-quality specimens at low prices back then was a major mistake.
You can start building a collection of German coins by purchasing one or two specimens per month, focusing on mint quality. It doesn't matter if it's a 2, 3, or 5 Mark coin; the main criterion at the initial stage is a bright, beautiful coin with no signs of circulation.
To preserve the condition of the coins, it is important to store them correctly. There are several main methods:
The main rule is to avoid storing coins loosely in a box, where they can scratch against each other and lose their collectible value.
For a beginner collector, it is important to structure their collection correctly. You can start with popular and relatively inexpensive coin types that are within a budget of up to 100 dollars or euros.
The following common types are excellent for starting out:
These coins can be found in good condition for around 60-70 dollars. The main thing is not to buy specimens in poor condition, but to focus on quality.
| Term | Description |
| Mint luster | The characteristic shimmering sheen on the field of a new, uncirculated coin. |
| Cartwheel luster | A type of mint luster where rays of light appear to rotate from the center to the edge of the coin. |
| Luster | A synonym for bright mint luster. |
| Lightbulb | Slang term for a coin with a very bright, intense luster. |
The key factor determining the value and liquidity of a common German coin is its condition, specifically the presence of mint luster. A worn coin from circulation and a specimen with bright luster are two completely different items in terms of value.
When choosing a coin, it is important to ensure that luster is present on both sides. Specimens with bright luster, even if they are common issues, are valued much higher and are always easier to sell. For example, a common 1913 2 Mark coin with bright luster can be worth $50.
| Coin Type | Price 4 years ago (c.u.) | Current price (c.u.) |
| Wilhelm II (Prussia), standard head, 2 Mark | 15 - 20 | 40 - 50 |
| Württemberg, wedding, 3 Mark | 25 | 50 |
| "The Crowd" / "The King Called", 3 Mark | 25 | 40 - 50 |
| Wilhelm II (Prussia), "uniform", 3 Mark | 25 | 40 - 60 |
| 300 years of Hohenzollern, 5 Mark | 45 | around 100 |
| 300 years of Hohenzollern, 3 Mark (slabbed) | around 125 | 200+ |
Over the past four years, the value of budget-friendly German silver coins in good condition has increased significantly. This growth confirms the investment appeal of this area, even when factoring in the costs of shipping and insurance when purchasing from foreign platforms.
These figures show that even common, yet high-quality coins can be a good investment. Special attention should be paid to the five-mark "head" type coins, which are less commonly found in good condition due to their active circulation.