1908-A Prussia 5 Mark Wilhelm II German Empire Silver Crown KM#523 XF+ For Sale

1908-A PRUSSIA 5 MARK | FÜNF MARK WILHELM II GERMAN EMPIRE | SILVER CROWN KM#523 XF+

IDENTIFICATION:

Kingdom of Prussia — German Empire

1908-A Five Mark

Ruler: Wilhelm II, German Emperor and King of Prussia

Mint: Berlin, identified by the “A” mintmark

Composition: .900 silver

Official weight standard: 27.777 g

Diameter: approximately 38.13 mm

Actual silver weight: approximately 0.8037 troy oz

Catalog references: KM#523; J#104; AKS#129; Davenport 789

Edge: Lettered “GOTT MIT UNS” — “God With Us”

OBVERSE:

A right-facing portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm II appears within a beaded border.

Legend: WILHELM II DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN

The “A” mintmark beneath the portrait identifies production at the Berlin Mint. Wilhelm’s hair, ear, moustache, facial profile, and neck truncation remain clearly defined.

REVERSE:

The crowned Imperial German eagle is displayed with fully extended wings. The eagle carries the small Prussian shield on its breast, surrounded by the ornate collar of the Order of the Black Eagle.

Legend: DEUTSCHES REICH 1908

Denomination: FÜNF MARK

The intricate feathers, crown, breast shield, Order collar, imperial orb and scepter, and ornamental tail are all readily visible.

DIE & STRIKE ANALYSIS:

The coin is well centered, with essentially complete beaded borders and fully readable legends on both sides. The strike is strong through Wilhelm’s portrait, the Imperial Eagle, crown, central shield, and denomination.

Light circulation friction is visible on the highest points, particularly Wilhelm’s hair and facial contours and the eagle’s breast and upper feathers. Despite this, the coin retains substantial fine detail and presents as a strong XF-range example, approaching the XF/AU boundary in overall sharpness.

SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS:

The surfaces display an attractive silver-gray appearance with contrasting darker recesses that strengthen the definition of the portrait, eagle, lettering, and heraldic devices. Remaining metallic brightness and luster become particularly evident under angled lighting.

Scattered circulation marks and fine hairlines are visible under direct macro illumination, as expected for a large circulating silver crown of this period. The photographs intentionally include straight-on, angled-luster, macro, edge, and hero views so buyers can evaluate the coin carefully.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & CONTEXT:

This crown-sized silver coin was issued by the Kingdom of Prussia within the federal structure of the German Empire. Its two sides express that political arrangement: Wilhelm II appears in his capacity as King of Prussia and German Emperor, while the reverse carries the Imperial Eagle with the Prussian arms at its center.

The 1908-A issue was struck at Berlin during the final phase of Europe’s pre–First World War imperial era. It was also the final year of the Wilhelm II portrait type introduced in 1891, making it a natural endpoint for collectors assembling the series.

The detailed reverse imagery reflects Prussia’s dominant position within Imperial Germany. The small central shield and surrounding Order of the Black Eagle—the highest Prussian order of chivalry—give the design substantially greater historical and heraldic depth than a conventional denomination type.

The lettered edge, “GOTT MIT UNS,” carries the traditional Prussian motto closely associated with the monarchy and later Imperial German military identity.

COLLECTOR INSIGHTS:

• Final-year issue of the 1891–1908 Wilhelm II Five Mark type

• Large crown-sized .900 silver coin

• Berlin “A” mintmark

• Strong portrait and Imperial Eagle detail

• Clearly visible Prussian shield and Order of the Black Eagle collar

• Complete “GOTT MIT UNS” lettered edge documented in the photographs

• Approximately 0.8037 troy oz of actual silver

• Desirable German Empire and Prussian royal type

As with all inventory this will ship out the next business day and you will receive the exact coin pictured - No stock photos!