GERMANY. Weimarer Republik. 1918-1933. Pattern 5 Mark 1925 F (Silver, 35 mm, 26.44 g), for Württemberg, by K. Schmidt. Karlsruhe. WÜRTTEMBERG Coat of arms supported by two stags standing on top of a mountain, mintmark F below. Rev. DEUTSCHES REICH 1925 / FÜNF MARK Eagle. Beckenbauer 3484. Schaaf 331 G 7. Extremely rare. Tiny marks, otherwise, virtually as struck.


After hyperinflation was brought under control in November 1923, the introduction of the Rentenmark paved the way for the Banking and Currency Act of 30 August 1924, which established the Reichsmark as the official currency of the German Reich. Württemberg, however, occupied a special position alongside Baden, Bavaria, and Saxony, as it was permitted to issue banknotes through its own state note-issuing bank. There had even been hopes that the state might be authorized to strike its own coins. The extremely rare 5 Mark pattern offered here bears witness to that aspiration.

The design - most notably the strikingly avant-garde obverse - was created by the medalist Karl Schmidt of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Particularly remarkable is the use of the denomination Mark, since by 1925 the Reichsmark was already in circulation. It therefore seems likely that this trial piece was produced shortly before the Reichsmark was formally introduced, in late 1923 or early 1924.