# German mark

> German currency from 1871–1923

**Wikidata**: [Q560355](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q560355)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_mark_(1871))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/german-mark

## Summary
The German mark was the official currency of the German Empire from 1871 until its replacement by the Papiermark in 1914, though it continued to be referenced until 1923. It served as the primary medium of exchange following German unification.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Currency (specifically, a mark unit)
- **Country:** German Empire
- **Inception Date:** +1871-12-04T00:00:00Z
- **End Date:** +1914-08-04T00:00:00Z (formally replaced by Papiermark)
- **Historical Period:** Predominantly used from 1871 to 1914, with usage/references persisting until 1923.
- **Sitelink Count:** 31
- **Wikipedia Title:** German mark (1871)
- **Wikidata Description:** German currency from 1871–1923
- **Predecessor Currencies:** South German gulden (in southern states, ended 1873), Vereinsthaler
- **Successor Currency:** Papiermark (from 1914)
- **Colonial Usage:** Issued and circulated within the territories of German New Guinea, German South-West Africa, German Samoa, Togoland, and Kamerun.

## FAQs
*   **When was the German mark used?** It was the currency of the German Empire from its introduction on December 4, 1871, until it was formally replaced by the Papiermark on August 4, 1914, although references continued until 1923.
*   **What currencies came before and after the German mark?** It succeeded the South German gulden (in southern states) and the Vereinsthaler across Germany, and was itself succeeded by the Papiermark starting in 1914.
*   **Was the German mark used outside mainland Germany?** Yes, it was the official currency used in the German colonial territories, including German New Guinea, German South-West Africa, German Samoa, Togoland, and Kamerun.
*   **What German state existed during the German mark's era?** The Kingdom of Württemberg, which became part of the German Empire in January 1871, used the German mark.
*   **Why did the German mark end in 1914?** It was officially replaced by the Papiermark on August 4, 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, a change linked to financing the war effort.

## Why It Matters
The German mark was the foundational currency of the unified German Empire, symbolizing its economic integration after 1871. Its issuance and management within Germany and its colonies were critical to the functioning of the Empire's economy and fiscal systems. Its replacement by the Papiermark in 1914 marked a pivotal shift, directly contributing to the hyperinflation crisis that culminated in 1923, profoundly impacting German economic history and setting the stage for subsequent monetary reforms.

## Notable For
*   Being the *first* single, unified currency for the German Empire following its unification in 1871.
*   Serving as the exclusive legal tender across Germany and its colonial protectorates/colonies simultaneously.
*   Its formal replacement by the Papiermark in 1914 marked the definitive end of the *gold standard* for the currency.
*   Its period of usage encompassed the peak of German industrialization and imperial expansion.

## Body
### History and Context
The German mark was established as the official currency of the newly formed German Empire on December 4, 1871. It replaced the various currencies previously used in different German states, such as the South German gulden prevalent in southern regions until 1873 and the Vereinsthaler used more widely. The introduction of the mark was a crucial step in the economic unification of Germany following political unification. The currency circulated throughout the territories of the German Empire until August 4, 1914, when it was formally superseded by the Papiermark at the outset of World War I. While the Papiermark became the new standard, the term "mark" persisted in economic discourse until the hyperinflation crisis of 1923 effectively ended its practical value reference.

### Colonial Currency Usage
The German mark was the official currency issued and used within all overseas territories of the German Empire. This included:
*   **German New Guinea:** The northeastern part of New Guinea and nearby islands (1884-1919).
*   **German South-West Africa:** The former colony in Southwest Africa (1884-1915).
*   **German Samoa:** The colony and protectorate in Oceania (1900-1920).
*   **Togoland:** The protectorate in West Africa (1884-1914).
*   **Kamerun:** The West African colony (1884-1916).
Within these territories, the mark served as the primary medium of exchange for goods and services, facilitating economic activity under German administration.

### Predecessors and Successors
The German mark had distinct predecessors and a clear successor:
*   **Predecessors:**
    *   **South German gulden:** Used in the states of southern Germany between 1754 and 1873. Its phased withdrawal was a prerequisite for the introduction of the Reichsmark (the mark).
    *   **Vereinsthaler:** A silver coin currency used as a standard coin in Germany and Austria prior to the introduction of the mark.
*   **Successor:**
    *   **Papiermark:** Introduced on August 4, 1914, this was the new German currency issued during and after World War I. It was not backed by gold and led to massive inflation. The term "Papiermark" explicitly denoted its paper-based nature, contrasting with the previously gold-backed mark.

### Related Entities and Territories
The German mark was intrinsically linked to the political entities and territories that formed the German Empire:
*   **German Empire:** The nation-state in Central Europe from 1871 to 1918, which issued and used the mark as its sovereign currency.
*   **Colonial Territories:** The mark was the official currency in the German colonial empire, specifically within German New Guinea, German South-West Africa, German Samoa, Togoland, and Kamerun.
*   **Kingdom of Württemberg:** This kingdom in Central Europe (1806-1918) became part of the German Empire in January 1871 and adopted the German mark as its currency following unification.
*   **Currency Class:** It belongs to the broader category of "currency" (a generally accepted medium of exchange for goods or services).
*   **Mark Unit:** It is a specific instance of the "mark" unit, a currency or unit of account used in many nations.

## References

1. [Wirtschaftsgeschichte: Vom Merkantilismus bis zur Gegenwart. Böhlau Verlag. 2011](https://books.google.de/books?id=koaeDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA124)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. FactGrid