By 1949 they're back on their feet. From 1949-2001, lower denomination coins are alloys of zinc, a respectably heavy transition metal, and higher ones are alloys of nickel. The obverse of the 1- and 2-mark coins feature the hungry German eagle. The five-mark, especially, features a scrappy, ferocious eagle, prominently displaying razor-sharp talons. His head is turned to the east and his mouth is wide open (as if to say, "Danzig ist Deutsch, bitches!") Lots of commemorative pieces during that period as well. I have a Max Planck 2 mark, an Albert Einstein 2 mark, and a 50th anniversary Institute of Archaeology 5-mark piece. All nickel alloy, of course. Gone is the silver and platinum, but to be fair the US also stopped minting our higher-denomination coins in silver by then. My father was given a proof set of Bundeskanzlers 1949-79, in high silver content alloy. I think they're five-mark pieces, but they were special issue, and I don't think you'd find them in circulation.
Until 1974 the 5 DM coin for general circulation was .625 silver.
The 1975 and later 5 DM coins were not.
(edited to fix image of silver 5 DM
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