© Willem63 (CC BY-NC-SA)
© Willem63 (CC BY-NC-SA)
5 Pfennigs - Alsfeld
1917 year| Zinc | 1.35 g | 17.5 mm |
| Issuer | City of Alsfeld (Federal state of Hesse) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | William II (Wilhelm II) (1888-1918) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1917 |
| Value | 5 Pfennigs (5 Pfennige) (0.05) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Zinc |
| Weight | 1.35 g |
| Diameter | 17.5 mm |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#140797 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 80% |
The 5 Pfennigs - Alsfeld 1917 coin was minted during a time of economic turmoil in Germany, known as the "Inflationary Period" (1914-1923). During this time, the value of the German mark (the national currency) plummeted, and prices for everyday goods skyrocketed. As a result, many Germans turned to alternative forms of currency, such as local emergency coins like the 5 Pfennigs - Alsfeld 1917, which were issued by cities and towns across the country to address the shortage of small change. Despite their humble denomination, these coins played an important role in the local economies of the time and are now highly sought after by collectors.