In 1888 Germany had three emperors — and Friedrich III, who reigned just 99 days, got exactly one year of coinage. His single-year 20-mark gold piece is the most storied date in the imperial series. This entry covers the coin and its history.
Key facts
- Single-year issue: struck only in 1888 at the Berlin (A) mint, with a recorded mintage of 5,363,501 (USAGOLD, citing the Standard Catalog of World Coins via the NGC World Price Guide).
- 1888 is Germany’s “Year of Three Emperors”: Wilhelm I died in March, Friedrich III reigned 99 days before dying of cancer, and Wilhelm II took the throne (USAGOLD).
- Same specifications as the imperial 20-mark type: 7.965 g, .900 fine gold, 22.5 mm (USAGOLD).
- No other German gold coin offers a permanently fixed single-year supply tied to this much history at an accessible premium (USAGOLD).