Germany, States Prussia William II 2 Mark

History

2 Mark 1913, KM# 532, Prussia, William II, 100th Anniversary of the Prussians Entering the Napoleonic War

Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)

Description

This coin celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Prussian mobilization against Napoleon.

17 March 1813 – the day Alexander I of Russia arrived in the Hoflager of Frederick William III of Prussia – Prussia declared war on France. Members of the Sixth Coalition fought a series of battles in Germany against the French Emperor Napoleon and his Marshals.

With the help of the Prussian army, Napoleon and the French army were defeated at the Battle of Leipzig in October of 1813. Ironically, within a year of the time the coins were struck, Prussia, now part of Germany, would again be at war with France. This time however, the French, not the German forces that would be victorious. With Germany's disastrous loss in the war, William or Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate and lived his remaining days in seclusion in the Netherlands. These were the last commemorative coins issued by Prussia.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Horse Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Frederick William III Rider Horseman Obverse shows King Frederick William III on horseback being hailed by soldiers, civilians, and children. The legend at the top "König Rief Und Alle Alle Kamen" (The King Called and All Came) and the date "17.3.1813" refers to his call to arms against Napoleon. DER KÖNIG RIEF UND ALLE ALLE KAMEN · MIT GOTT·FÜR KÖNIG UND VATERLAND 17-3-1813
Reverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Eagle, Snake The reverseof this coin depicts the eagle defeating a snake with the inscription DEUTSCHES REICH (German Empire) above, date to the right and the denominational value ZWEI MARK below. The eagle is a logical choice for a group’s symbol. It’s a large, powerful predator. Like all raptors, it has amazing eyesight, a hooked beak designed to deliver a killing bite and rip flesh off bones, and sharp talons that can pierce and hold prey. An eagle’s wingspan is typically twice the length of its body, allowing it to soar easily. The snake is a far more complicated part of the equation. Many people associate the serpent with evil because of the Bible story in which the snake offers Eve the fruit from the forbidden tree, “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” DEUTSCHES REICH 1913 ★ ZWEI MARK ★
Edge	Reeded (milled)

2 Mark

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1913 Germany, States Prussia

100th Anniversary of the Prussians Entering the Napoleonic War

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William II

KM# 532

Characteristics

Type	Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material	Silver
Fineness	0.900
Weight	11.111 g
Diameter	28 mm
Thickness	-
Shape	round
Alignment	Medal
Mint	Berlin State Mint (A)