Obverse: the coin depicts the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia Wilhelm I, around the inscription "WILHELM DEUTSCHER KAISER KÖNIG V. PREUSSEN" (eng. Wilhelm German Emperor and Prussian King). The bottom of the coin features a letter "A" which is the mint mark.
Reverse: the coat of arms of the German Empire - the Imperial Eagle with a crown, around the inscription "DEUTSCHES REICH" (eng. German Empire) and the year of the coin. At the bottom of the coin is denomination 20 MARK.
Edge: the inscription "GOTT MIT UNS" is lit. (God with us).