Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Deutsche Mark 1984, KM# 160, Germany, Federal Republic, 150th Anniversary of the German Customs Union
  • 5 Deutsche Mark 1984, KM# 160, Germany, Federal Republic, 150th Anniversary of the German Customs Union
Description

The Zollverein or German Customs Union was a coalition of German states formed to manage tariffs and economic policies within their territories. Organized by the 1833 Zollverein treaties, the Zollverein formally started on 1 January 1834. However, its foundations had been in development from 1818 with the creation of a variety of custom unions among the German states. By 1866, the Zollverein included most of the German states. The foundation of the Zollverein was the first instance in history in which independent states had consummated a full economic union without the simultaneous creation of a political federation or union.

Prussia was the primary driver behind the creation of the customs union. Austria was excluded from the Zollverein because of its highly protected industry and also because Prince von Metternich was against the idea. By the founding of the North German Confederation in 1867, the Zollverein covered states of approximately 425,000 square kilometres, and had produced economic agreements with several non-German states, including Sweden-Norway. After the founding of the German Empire in 1871, the Empire assumed the control of the customs union. However, not all states within the Empire were part of the Zollverein until 1888. Conversely, Luxembourg was independent and not a state in the German Reich, it remained in the Zollverein until 1919.

Engraver: Reinhart Heinsdorff

Obverse

Depicts Federal Eagle in the centre, surrounded by the country name, issue date, Bavarian Central Mint (D) mark and facial value.

The coat of arms of Germany displays a black eagle with red feet, beak and tongue on a golden field. This is the Bundesadler or "Federal Eagle", formerly the Reichsadler or "Imperial Eagle". It is a re-introduction of the coat of arms of the Weimar Republic (in use 1919–1935) adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1950. The current official design is due to Tobias Schwab (1887–1967) and was introduced in 1928.

19 84
BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND D 5 DEUTSCHE MARK •

Reverse

Depicts a postal horsedrawn carriage crossing an open boom barrier, surrounded by the inscription "Foundation of the German customs union" and the event date.

1834
GRUNDUNG DES DEUTSCHEN ZOLLVEREINIS

Edge

Inscription: "Customs Union - German • EEC - Europe"

Europäische Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft (EWG) is the European Economic Community (EEC)

ZOLLVEREIN - DEUTSCHLAND • EWG - EUROPA

5 Deutsche Mark

150th Anniversary of the German Customs Union

KM# 160 Jaeger# 435 Schön# 159
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 10 g
Diameter 29 mm
Thickness 2.07 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Bavarian Central Mint (D)

Related coins

Silver, 11.2 g, ⌀ 29 mm
150th Anniversary of Birth of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen

Silver, 11.2 g, ⌀ 29 mm
150th Anniversary of Birth of Max Joseph von Pettenkofer

Silver, 11.2 g, ⌀ 29 mm