GERMANY. Kaiserreich. Preußen. Wilhelm II, 1888-1918. Pattern 5 Pfennig 1905 A (Copper, 18 mm, 2.52 g, 12 h), struck in copper. Berlin. Imperial eagle, A - A below. Rev. DEUTSCHES REICH 1905 / 5 / •PFENNIG•. Beckenbauer -. Schaaf 12 M3. Extremely rare. Tiny deposits and a very minor edge nick, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This 5 Pfennig copper pattern represents an unusual experimental issue of the German Empire. Weighing 2.52 g, the piece differs from other known copper trial strikes for this denomination, which were struck on 1 Pfennig (Jaeger 1 and 10) planchets weighing about 2 g. Instead of simply reusing the smaller flans, with a diameter of only 17.5 mm, this example appears to have been produced on a heavier, specially prepared planchet, suggesting it may have been part of a separate test to evaluate copper as a potential alternative metal for the 5 Pfennig denomination.