Counterfeit Detection: Altered Prussia 20 Mark

The Wilhelm II Gold 20 Mark coins of Prussia were the last gold issues struck by the German Empire. The three-year type spans from 1913 until 1915, with a reported mintage for business strikes of well over a million coins for each date. The series is popular with both collectors and those looking to acquire physical gold with low premiums relative to their bullion value.

Looking at the Standard Catalog of World Coins, one would think that there are no key dates for this series, and that all three dates are more or less generic, trading for roughly similar prices in the same grade regardless of the date of the coin. The only indication in SCWC that 1915 may be a better date is a healthy but not immensely increased value relative to 1913 and 1914 in Uncirculated condition. However, despite the reported mintage figure of 1,268,055, the 1915 issue of this type is rare and elusive, trading for heavy premiums when they do cross the auction block.

Genuine Germany 1915 Gold 20 Mark Click images to enlarge.

According to the NGC Census, NGC has numerically graded only 23 examples of the 1915 Prussia 20 Marks, while another major grading service has numerically graded just 12, and all 35 examples are Uncirculated. This is a pittance relative to 1914, for which NGC has graded 586 examples.

World War I is believed to be the reason behind the coin’s rarity, as Germany ended the gold backing for its paper currency in 1914, which drove gold coins out of circulation. Perhaps many of these 1915 Prussian 20 Marks were used by Germany for reparations at the end of the war and were melted in large quantities upon their receipt by the victors of World War I. Whatever the reason behind the scarcity of the 1915, its status as a key date coin unfortunately makes it susceptible to alterations and counterfeits.

Recently, NGC had an example of an altered 1915 come into the grading room that was exceptionally well-rendered and skillfully executed. Through the use of both high-powered magnification and forensic die matching, NGC was able to conclude that the coin submitted for grading was actually an altered 1913 coin of the same type.

Altered Germany Gold 20 Mark Click images to enlarge.

Despite the excellent skill used to turn this “3” into a “5”, there were red flags that should alert a vigilant, seasoned numismatist that something is not right about this coin. Upon initial inspection, it can be noted in-hand that the coin has been cleaned and, more importantly, that the cleaning is localized to the reverse of the coin around the date. While this is not necessarily proof of an altered date, oftentimes coin doctors will clean or tool a coin, blending the surfaces in order to hide a seam, lessen dramatic color change resulting from altering or moving metal, or to otherwise obscure their handiwork. As such, this coin merited further inspection utilizing a loupe for magnification and high-resolution reference photos of genuine 1915 examples for comparison.

Close-up of date on altered Germany Gold 20 Mark (left) and genuine Germany 1915 Gold 20 Mark Click images to enlarge.

After studying the shape of the ‘5’ and area surrounding it, one can see evidence of metal movement in the fields immediately surrounding the digit. This metal disruption is not present on any other digit of the date on this coin. In comparing it to other genuine examples of a 1915, there is at least one subtle yet concerning difference between these two date digits — the location of the ball of the “5” and the amount of space that occupies the area underneath and directly to the left of the ball.

These observations were very concerning and led to attempts to die match this supposed 1915 to one of its more generic-dated counterparts through forensic die matching via unique die characteristics to prove the coin submitted to NGC was altered. Fortunately, there were unique die features present on the coin that would make this undertaking less tedious, specifically light but visible die cracks found in the obverse legend of the coin through the words “DEUTSCHER KAISER” seen below:

Close-up of die cracks on altered coin (left) and a genuine 1913 example. Click images to enlarge.

Die cracks highlighted on the altered coin Click image to enlarge.

The decision was made to begin looking for 1913 examples with the same die crack pattern, as it would take less work and result in less metal manipulation for a coin doctor to turn a “3” into a “5” as opposed to trying to turn a “4” into a “5”. Almost immediately, 1913 examples with the exact same die crack pattern were located, and after confirming these unique die characteristics and secondary diagnostics, it was clear that the initial concerns regarding the date of the coin submitted to NGC were well-founded.

Altered dates are especially deceptive because the coin itself is genuine and only minute, localized details have been changed to create a seemingly rare or desirable coin that, at first glance, seems genuine. Depending on the skill of the coin doctor, these coins require special attention to detail, access to a plethora of images, and/or the ability to identify and match up unique features on an individual working die to other examples. NGC’s team of expert graders is well-versed in these skills, which resulted in this coin leaving NGC’s grading room with a tag identifying it for what it truly is: an altered date.

Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and altered coins. Visit NGCcoin.com/counterfeit.