Large crowned imperial eagle with shield on breast
Reverse Legend:
None
Edge:
Plain
Mint Mark:
E (Muldenhutten (1887-1953))
Composition:
Copper (Cu)
Diameter:
20.00 mm
Thickness:
1.05 mm
Weight:
3.3000 grams
Mintage:
413,000
Catalog Number:
KM# 16
Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941), anglicised as William II, was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia. His reign lasted from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. Despite strengthening Germany’s position as a great power by building a blue-water navy and promoting scientific innovation, his tactless public statements and reckless foreign policy greatly antagonized the international community and ultimately plunged his country into World War I. When the German war effort collapsed after a series of crushing defeats on the Western Front in 1918, he was forced to abdicate, thereby bringing an end to the Hohenzollern dynasty’s three hundred year rule.
As the eldest grandchild of Queen Victoria, Wilhelm's first cousins included George V of the United Kingdom and many princesses who, along with Wilhelm's sister Sophia, became European consorts. For most of his life before becoming emperor, he was second in line to succeed his grandfather Wilhelm I on the German and Prussian thrones after his father, Frederick. His grandfather and father both died in 1888, the Year of Three Emperors, making Wilhelm emperor and king. On 20 March 1890, he dismissed the German Empire’s powerful longtime chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.
After Bismarck's departure, Wilhelm II assumed direct control over his nation’s policies and embarked on a bellicose "New Course" to cement its status as a respected world power. Subsequently, over the course of his reign, Germany acquired territories in the Far East and became Europe’s largest manufacturer. However, he frequently undermined such progress by making threatening statements towards other countries and voicing xenophobic views without consulting his ministers. Likewise, his regime did much to alienate itself from the world's other Great Powers by initiating a massive naval build-up, challenging French control of Morocco, and building a railway through Baghdad that threatened Britain's dominion in the Persian Gulf. Thus, by the second decade of the 20th century, Germany could rely only on significantly weaker nations such as Austria-Hungary and the declining Ottoman Empire as its allies.
Wilhelm II’s turbulent reign ultimately culminated in Germany's guarantee of military support to Austria-Hungary during the crisis of July 1914, one of the direct underlying causes for the First World War. A lax wartime leader, he left virtually all decision-making regarding strategy and organisation of the war effort to the Imperial German Army's Great General Staff. By 29 August 1916, this broad delegation of power resulted in a de facto military dictatorship that dominated national policy for the rest of the conflict. Despite emerging victorious over Russia and achieving significant gains in Western Europe, Germany was forced to relinquish all its conquests after its forces' decisive defeat in November 1918. Upon losing the support of the military and his subjects, Wilhelm abdicated his throne and fled to exile in the Netherlands. He remained there during the German occupation in World War II, and died in 1941.
Large crowned imperial eagle with shield on breast
Reverse Legend:
None
Edge:
Plain
Mint Mark:
E (Muldenhutten (1887-1953))
Composition:
Copper (Cu)
Diameter:
20.00 mm
Thickness:
1.05 mm
Weight:
3.3000 grams
Mintage:
413,000
Catalog Number:
KM# 16
Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941), anglicised as William II, was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia. His reign lasted from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. Despite strengthening Germany’s position as a great power by building a blue-water navy and promoting scientific innovation, his tactless public statements and reckless foreign policy greatly antagonized the international community and ultimately plunged his country into World War I. When the German war effort collapsed after a series of crushing defeats on the Western Front in 1918, he was forced to abdicate, thereby bringing an end to the Hohenzollern dynasty’s three hundred year rule.
As the eldest grandchild of Queen Victoria, Wilhelm's first cousins included George V of the United Kingdom and many princesses who, along with Wilhelm's sister Sophia, became European consorts. For most of his life before becoming emperor, he was second in line to succeed his grandfather Wilhelm I on the German and Prussian thrones after his father, Frederick. His grandfather and father both died in 1888, the Year of Three Emperors, making Wilhelm emperor and king. On 20 March 1890, he dismissed the German Empire’s powerful longtime chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.
After Bismarck's departure, Wilhelm II assumed direct control over his nation’s policies and embarked on a bellicose "New Course" to cement its status as a respected world power. Subsequently, over the course of his reign, Germany acquired territories in the Far East and became Europe’s largest manufacturer. However, he frequently undermined such progress by making threatening statements towards other countries and voicing xenophobic views without consulting his ministers. Likewise, his regime did much to alienate itself from the world's other Great Powers by initiating a massive naval build-up, challenging French control of Morocco, and building a railway through Baghdad that threatened Britain's dominion in the Persian Gulf. Thus, by the second decade of the 20th century, Germany could rely only on significantly weaker nations such as Austria-Hungary and the declining Ottoman Empire as its allies.
Wilhelm II’s turbulent reign ultimately culminated in Germany's guarantee of military support to Austria-Hungary during the crisis of July 1914, one of the direct underlying causes for the First World War. A lax wartime leader, he left virtually all decision-making regarding strategy and organisation of the war effort to the Imperial German Army's Great General Staff. By 29 August 1916, this broad delegation of power resulted in a de facto military dictatorship that dominated national policy for the rest of the conflict. Despite emerging victorious over Russia and achieving significant gains in Western Europe, Germany was forced to relinquish all its conquests after its forces' decisive defeat in November 1918. Upon losing the support of the military and his subjects, Wilhelm abdicated his throne and fled to exile in the Netherlands. He remained there during the German occupation in World War II, and died in 1941.
An Imperial eagle and the mintmark at the bottom of the bow
Obverse Legend:
D
Reverse:
Denomination within wreath
Reverse Legend:
DEUTSCHES REICH, 1/2 MARK, 1917
Edge:
Milled
Mint Mark:
D (Munich)
Orientation:
Medal alignment ↑↑
Composition:
Silver (Ag) 0.900
Diameter:
20.00 mm
Thickness:
1.05 mm
Weight:
2.7770 grams (0.0803oz.)
Mintage:
978,586
Catalog Number:
KM# 17
Wilhelm II or William II (German: Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; English: Frederick William Victor Albert) (27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe. Crowned in 1888, he dismissed the Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in 1890 and launched Germany on a bellicose "New Course" in foreign affairs that culminated in his support for Austria-Hungary in the crisis of July 1914 that led to World War I. Bombastic and impetuous, he sometimes made tactless pronouncements on sensitive topics without consulting his ministers, culminating in a disastrous Daily Telegraph interview that cost him most of his power in 1908. His generals dictated policy during World War I with little regard for the civilian government. An ineffective war leader, he lost the support of the army, abdicated in November 1918, and fled to exile in the Netherlands.
William I, also known as Wilhelm I (full name: William Frederick Louis, German: Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888), of the House of Hohenzollern was the King of Prussia (2 January 1861 – 9 March 1888) and the first German Emperor (18 January 1871 – 9 March 1888).
Under the leadership of William and his Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire.
Value in centre, denomination below. Lettering and date above
Reverse Legend:
DEUTSCHES REICH 2 PFENNIG 1906
Reverse Designer:
Emil Weigand
Edge:
Smooth
Orientation:
Medal alignment ↑↑
Mint Mark:
F (Stuttgart)
Composition:
Copper (Cu)
Diameter:
20.00 mm
Thickness:
1.05 mm
Weight:
3.30 grams
Mintage:
2,840,000
Catalog Number:
KM# 16
Wilhelm II or William II (German: Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; English: Frederick William Victor Albert) (27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe. Crowned in 1888, he dismissed the Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in 1890 and launched Germany on a bellicose "New Course" in foreign affairs that culminated in his support for Austria-Hungary in the crisis of July 1914 that led to World War I. Bombastic and impetuous, he sometimes made tactless pronouncements on sensitive topics without consulting his ministers, culminating in a disastrous Daily Telegraph interview that cost him most of his power in 1908. His generals dictated policy during World War I with little regard for the civilian government. An ineffective war leader, he lost the support of the army, abdicated in November 1918, and fled to exile in the Netherlands.
Crowned imperial eagle with shield on breast, mintmarks below
Obverse Legend:
F F
Obverse Designer:
Emil Weigand
Reverse:
Denomination and value
Reverse Legend:
DEUTSCHES REICH 1874 · 20 · PFENNIG ·
Reverse Designer:
Friedrich Wilhelm Kullrich
Edge:
Reeded
Orientation:
Medal alignment ↑↑
Mint Mark:
F (Stuttgart)
Composition:
Silver (Ag) 0.900
Diameter:
17.5 mm
Thickness:
0.7 mm
Weight:
1.1110 grams (0.0321 oz.)
Mintage:
7,222,398
Catalog Number:
KM# 5
William I, also known as Wilhelm I (full name: William Frederick Louis, German: Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888), of the House of Hohenzollern was the King of Prussia (2 January 1861 – 9 March 1888) and the first German Emperor (18 January 1871 – 9 March 1888).
Under the leadership of William and his Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire.
Crowned imperial eagle with shield on breast, mintmarks below
Obverse Legend:
A A
Reverse:
Denomination and value
Reverse Legend:
DEUTSCHES REICH 1874 · 5 · PFENNIG ·
Edge:
Smooth
Orientation:
Medal alignment ↑↑
Mint Mark:
A (Berlin)
Composition:
Copper-Nickel
Diameter:
18.03 mm
Thickness:
1.12 mm
Weight:
2.330 grams
Mintage:
30,843,718
Catalog Number:
KM# 3
William I, also known as Wilhelm I (full name: William Frederick Louis, German: Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888), of the House of Hohenzollern was the King of Prussia (2 January 1861 – 9 March 1888) and the first German Emperor (18 January 1871 – 9 March 1888).
Under the leadership of William and his Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire.
Coat of Arms (Imperial eagle with small shield) with the mintmark appealing twice below scrollwork at the bottom
Obverse Legend:
D D
Reverse:
Value in the centre, denomination below, lettering above, and the date at the bottom
Reverse Legend:
DEUTSCHES REICH 5 PFENNIG 1916
Edge:
Reeded
Mint Mark:
D (Munich)
Orientation:
Medal alignment ↑↑
Composition:
Iron (Fe)
Diameter:
18.00 mm
Thickness:
1.55 mm
Weight:
2.51 grams
Mintage:
19,590,219
Catalog Number:
KM# 19
Wilhelm II or William II (German: Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; English: Frederick William Victor Albert) (27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe. Crowned in 1888, he dismissed the Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in 1890 and launched Germany on a bellicose "New Course" in foreign affairs that culminated in his support for Austria-Hungary in the crisis of July 1914 that led to World War I. Bombastic and impetuous, he sometimes made tactless pronouncements on sensitive topics without consulting his ministers, culminating in a disastrous Daily Telegraph interview that cost him most of his power in 1908. His generals dictated policy during World War I with little regard for the civilian government. An ineffective war leader, he lost the support of the army, abdicated in November 1918, and fled to exile in the Netherlands.
