How to Identify the 1 Gulden (Silver)

Read the Free-City Legend First

The single most decisive clue is the legend naming the issuer. A genuine coin of this type identifies the Free City of Danzig (FREIE STADT DANZIG) rather than the German Reich, the Weimar Republic, or Poland. If the legend names a different country or empire, it is not this coin, no matter how similar the arms look.

Confirm the Denomination and Date

This piece states its value as one Gulden in German and is dated 1923. Danzig used the Gulden and Pfennig system for only a short period, so a German-language Gulden denomination paired with the Danzig city name is a strong, specific marker. Read the date carefully and make sure it matches the 1923 type rather than a later Danzig issue.

Check the Arms and Both Sides

One side shows the heraldic coat of arms of the city of Danzig, the central emblem the photo captures with its crossed elements and supporters, surrounded by the free-city legend. The opposite side is the denomination-and-date side. Both must be present and consistent; a coin that shows a monarch's portrait or a national eagle instead of the city arms is a different type.

Verify Size, Weight, and Metal

Expect a small silver coin about 23 mm in diameter and roughly 5 grams. It is not a heavy crown, so do not expect great heft, but it should still feel dense for its size, be non-magnetic, and show the tone of genuine silver. A magnetic, oversized, or obviously base-metal piece of this design is a warning sign.

Rule Out Look-Alikes and Fakes

Danzig struck several denominations, including a smaller half Gulden and larger multi-Gulden silver pieces, that share the city arms but differ in size and stated value, so always read the denomination rather than trusting the design alone. As a coin from a vanished state, Danzig silver attracts counterfeits and altered dates; weigh and measure the piece, compare the arms and lettering to trusted references, and for higher-grade or higher-value examples consider third-party authentication.