Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 35, Namibia, Great Monarchs, William II
  • 10 Dollars 2009, KM# 35, Namibia, Great Monarchs, William II
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 II 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 II (Kingdom of Prussia, KM# 517, 1888–1918) features a bust of King William II, facing right, surrounded by the inscription "William II German Emperor King of Prussia", with the Berlin Mint (A) mark positioned beneath.

Wilhelm II (1859–1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. As the grandson of Queen Victoria, he played a key role in European politics leading up to World War I. His reign was marked by militarism, imperial expansion, and strained diplomatic relations, particularly with Britain, France, and Russia. Though he sought to make Germany a global power, his impulsive decisions and aggressive foreign policy contributed to the tensions that led to the war. Following Germany’s defeat in 1918, Wilhelm abdicated and fled to exile in the Netherlands, where he lived until his death in 1941. His rule is often criticized for its authoritarianism and failure to prevent the war, but he also oversaw Germany’s rapid industrial and military growth.

• GREAT MONARCHS • WILHELM II. •
WILHELM II 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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