Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 33, Namibia, Great Monarchs, William I
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 33, Namibia, Great Monarchs, William I
Description

Europe has 12 monarchies, including the unique systems of the Vatican and Andorra. Due to historical intermarriage, all of Europe’s reigning monarchs are related. Since WWII, all hereditary European monarchs have descended from a single common ancestor: John William Friso, Prince of Orange, who died in 1711.

Two German noble families, the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburgs and the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, are particularly prominent in European royal bloodlines. The British royal family, originally the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, changed its name to Windsor in 1917 when King George V adopted a more British-sounding name to counter anti-German sentiment during WWI.

Obverse

Depicts coat of arms of Namibia, date and country name below.

The coat of arms depicts the national flag on the shield, African fish eagle above, Oryx supports the shield from two sides, Welwitschia mirabilis, a unique desert plant, below on top of national the motto.

UNITY LIBERTY JUSTICE
2009
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

Reverse

Depicts the obverse of the golden 10 Mark of William I as a 24-karat Gold-Plated insert, encircled by an inscription, with the denomination below, flanked by three crowns on each side.

The obverse of the golden 10 Mark of William I (Kingdom of Prussia, KM# 504, 1874–1888) features a bust of King William I, facing right, surrounded by the inscription "William German Emperor King of Prussia", with the Berlin Mint (A) mark positioned beneath.

William I (1797–1888), also known as Wilhelm I, was the King of Prussia (1861–1888) and the first German Emperor (1871–1888), playing a key role in the unification of Germany. Under his reign, guided by Otto von Bismarck, Prussia defeated Denmark (1864), Austria (1866), and France (1870–1871), leading to the proclamation of the German Empire in Versailles. Though initially cautious about Bismarck's aggressive policies, William eventually embraced his chancellor’s leadership, which shaped Germany into a major European power. Domestically, he faced tensions with liberals and socialists but upheld conservative rule. His reign marked the foundation of modern Germany, and upon his death in 1888, he was succeeded by his son, Frederick III.

• GREAT MONARCHS • WILHELM I •
WILHELM DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN
A
$10

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 20 g
Diameter 35 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mayer Mint GmbH Germany

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William II

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