Expert: Brad Swain - 3/2/2010

Question
I was stationed in Germany and was helping a friend clean her grandparents attic when I came across a coin that has Wilheim II Deutscher Kaisern Konig v. Preussen on one side and a eagle with  mark 1878 on the other side, the coin is does not weight much and is gold but around it it looks like it has been damaged.  Could you tell me how much the coin may be worth? I got it as a gift after helping with the clean up.

Answer
Hi Luis, There were 2.2 million of these 1878 Prussian 20 Mark coins featuring Wilhelm I (1861-88) minted that year in Berlin (A). Wilhelm II reigned 1888-1918.
This coin should weigh 7.965 grams and would contain .2304 of an ounce of gold. If it has an A mintmark under the king the collector value may currently be worth about $260 to $300 depending on amount of wear and collector demand. A C mintmark (Cleve) would be worth up to about $600.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad