German silver history is a complex journey through various eras of coinage. From the high-purity Imperial Marks to the circulating Federal silver of the mid-20th century, Germany remained committed to silver far longer than many of its neighbors. This heritage includes the massive Vereinsthaler issues that circulated alongside coins from Austria during the 19th century.
Even after the hyperinflation of the 1920s, Germany continued to strike silver for circulation. While the purities shifted between 50%, 62.5%, and 90%, the consistency of the designs makes them a staple for modern stackers. The 5 Mark coins from the Federal Republic remain some of the most widely available bulk silver coins in Europe today.
| Coin Type | Purity | Years | ASW (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Mark (Federal) | 62.5% | 1951-1974 | 0.2251 |
| 5 Reichsmark (Hindenburg) | 90.0% | 1934-1939 | 0.4016 |
| 5 Reichsmark | 50.0% | 1927-1933 | 0.4019 |
| 5 Mark (Imperial) | 90.0% | 1874-1915 | 0.8037 |
| 3 Mark (Imperial) | 90.0% | 1908-1918 | 0.4823 |
| 2 Reichsmark (Hindenburg) | 62.5% | 1936-1939 | 0.1608 |
| 2 Reichsmark | 50.0% | 1925-1931 | 0.1608 |
| 2 Mark (Imperial) | 90.0% | 1876-1915 | 0.3215 |
| 1 Mark (Imperial) | 90.0% | 1873-1916 | 0.1608 |
| 1/2 Mark (Imperial) | 90.0% | 1905-1919 | 0.0804 |
| Vereinsthaler | 90.0% | 1857-1871 | 0.5359 |
