This Great War-era (1914-1918) coin represents the 2nd denomination coin of the late war Papiermark. Notably due wartime demand Imperial German coinage post-1916 was debased. Replacing once abundant nickel and copper with less valuable base metals. Which was still somewhat of a luxury, when compared to the notmünze (notgeld coins) of the era.
Coins of this type were minted from 1917-1922, spanning the late war and the early Weimar era. The coin is a smooth-edged design made of zinc and weighs 3.23 g. Its dimensions are 21 mm (0.837 in) wide and 1.5 mm (0.059 in) thick. Making it slightly larger than a modern US Penny (19.05 mm/0.750 in), in size.
Observe
The observe is practical in it's design, featuring a large number "10" at its center. This number 10 simply represents the coin's 10 Pfennig value, as listed by the coin's surrounding text. The upper section reads "DEUTSCHES REICH" (German Empire). While the lower lists the currency type, as a "PFENNIG", issued in "1918". A pair of dimples separates the upper and lower text.
Reverse
The reverse features a large Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle), the symbol of the German Empire. Notably the coin uses a small shield design, this style is known as a Type II. It should be known an alternative variant of this coin was issued.
This alternate variant was minted from zinc-clad iron. It featured a Reichsadler, surrounded by a wreath of 31 beads. Additionally there were twin mint marks located near the Reichsadler's tail. As opposed to the variant depicted hear, which entirely lacks mint marks.
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