Obverse: the obverse depicts Wilhelm I, German Emperor and King of Prussia, facing right. Around the portrait is the inscription “WILHELM DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN”. Below the neck appears the mintmark “A”, indicating the Berlin Mint.
Reverse: the reverse features the coat of arms of the German Empire – a crowned imperial eagle bearing a shield on its chest. Around the design are the inscriptions “DEUTSCHES REICH” and the year “1877”. The denomination “5 MARK” is shown below.
About the coin: this 5 marks gold coin was struck in 1877–1878 during the early years of the German Empire following the unification of Germany in 1871. Wilhelm I became the first Emperor of a united Germany and was one of the most influential political figures of the 19th century. These coins were struck in .900 fine gold and formed part of the first unified monetary system of the German Empire.
