Overview
A copper-nickel 5 Pfennig coin featuring the Imperial Eagle (Reichsadler) with the shield of the Hohenzollern on its breast. This small denomination was the workhorse of the pre-WWI German economy during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Preliminary identification
German Empire 5 Pfennig Coin, 1906
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
In 1906, this coin could buy a fresh bread roll in a Berlin bakery. It survived the collapse of the Empire in 1918 and the hyperinflation of the 1920s that made later currency worthless. It is a tangible survivor of the 'Belle Époque'.
Maker / Origin
Minted under the authority of the Reichsbank, these coins were produced at several state mints. The design reflects the Prussian-led unification of Germany, using the eagle to symbolize a centralized, powerful European state.
Condition & Value
The coin shows heavy green oxidation (verdigris) and significant surface wear. The reverse is quite blurry, making it difficult to grade beyond 'Good' or 'About Good'. This corrosion significantly impacts numismatic value. Common date and significant environmental damage (verdigris) keep the value low.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.