Germany 5-DEUTSCHE MARK (KM112)

Originally named Reichsadler ("Imperial Eagle" or "National Eagle"), this heraldic eagle dates back to the Roman eagle standard used by Holy Roman Emperors. The name was changed to Bundesadler ("Federal Eagle") in 1945 with the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany.

One of only two circulating 5 deutsche mark coins, this first example was minted in silver from 1951 through to 1974. The Bundesadler on this coin is highly stylized but it became more life-like on the follow up 5 deutsche mark coin that replaced it in 1975.

There are variations of this coin with no edge lettering that can be worth hundreds of dollars. Better yet, there are other variations with different edge lettering (see below) that can be worth a few thousand dollars.