Germany - East Silver Coin Melt Values - Live Calculator
The table below lists each denomination and computes live melt value from the current silver spot price of $66.75 per troy ounce.
| Coin | Face Value | Years | Fineness | Gross Weight (g) | ASW (g) | ASW (oz t) | Qty | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark | 10 | 1966 - 1967 | 0.8 | 17 | 13.6 | 0.4372 | $0.00 | |
| Mark | 10 | 1968 - 1975 | 0.625 | 17 | 10.63 | 0.3416 | $0.00 | |
| Mark | 10 | 1975 - 1990 | 0.5 | 17 | 8.5 | 0.2733 | $0.00 | |
| Mark | 20 | 1966 - 1968 | 0.8 | 20.9 | 16.72 | 0.5376 | $0.00 | |
| Mark | 20 | 1969 - 1976 | 0.625 | 20.9 | 13.06 | 0.42 | $0.00 | |
| Mark | 20 | 1977 - 1985 | 0.5 | 20.9 | 10.45 | 0.336 | $0.00 | |
| Grand Total | $0.00 | |||||||
Country Silver Coin History
The history of silver coins in East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), is relatively brief and tied closely to the political and economic conditions of the time.
Post-World War II
Following World War II, Germany was divided into East and West Germany. The GDR was established in the Soviet-occupied zone in 1949.
The GDR introduced its own currency, the East German mark (Mark der DDR, abbreviated as M), to replace the Reichsmark. Initial coinage was predominantly base metals, reflecting the economic hardships and rebuilding efforts of the post-war era.
Commemorative Coins
In the 1970s, the government began to issue commemorative silver coins. These coins were not intended for daily transactions but rather for collectors and as a means of generating foreign currency.
The first silver commemorative coin was issued in 1971 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin.
A silver coin was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin.
In 1980, a series of silver coins was issued to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the GDR.
Further commemorative issues from 1983 through 1989 included coins celebrating historical events, cultural achievements, and notable figures such as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Collectible Silver Coins from East Germany
With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent reunification of Germany in 1990, the East German mark was replaced by the Deutsche Mark (DM) of West Germany, and later the Euro (EUR) in 2002. The issuance of silver coins by the GDR ceased, but the coins remain a part of numismatic history and are sought after by collectors.
Today, these coins are valued by collectors for their historical significance and the unique geopolitical context in which they were issued.