As inflation continued notes were also
issued from the Regional
Railroad Offices called Reichsbahn Direktion
Item
PM-RD-CASSEL-1BM
CASSEL RAILROAD OFFICE 1 BILLION (TRILLION) MARK NOTE Oct. 24, 1923
PS1068 AU-advertisment on back PS1031
AU-UNC 20.00
Item
PM-RD-ERFURT-100MD
ERFURT RAILROAD OFFICE 100 MILLIARDEN MARK NOTE Oct. 26, 1923 PS1209 VF
15.00
Item
PM-RD-FRANKFURT-50MD
FRANKFURT RAILROAD OFFICE 50 MILLIARDEN MARK NOTE Oct. 22, 1923 PS1223
VF 15.00
Item
PM-RD-FRANKFURT-500MD
FRANKFURT RAILROAD OFFICE 500 MILLIARDEN MARK NOTE Oct. 22, 1923 PS1225
F 10.00
Item
PM-RD-FRANKFURT-1BM
FRANKFURT RAILROAD OFFICE 1 BILLION (TRILLION) MARK NOTE Nov. 2, 1923
PS1226 UNC. 35.00
Item
PM-RD-FRANKFURT-10BM
FRANKFURT RAILROAD OFFICE 10 BILLION (TRILLION) MARK NOTE Nov. 6, 1923
PS1226 UNC. 40.00
Item
PM-RD-STUTTGART-500MD
STUTTGART RAILROAD OFFICE 500 MILLIARDEN MARK NOTE Oct. 30, 1923 PS1378
VF 15.00
10 MILLION MARK!
This
Uncirculated German 10 Million Mark note is dated August 22,
1923. This was during the height of Germany's Post-World War
I hyperinflation. When first issued it could buy a few
eggs. By November it was virtually worthless. The
note is printed on watermarked paper. In order to speed up
production of notes, it is printed on one side only. It is a
reminder of what happens when government does not control its spending.
Item
PM-DE-10MM
GERMANY 10 MILLION MARK NOTE 1923 P106 AU-UNC. $5.00
A HIGHLY REVALUED
GERMAN NOTE
This German banknote was originally authorized in December 1922 as a
1000
Mark note. Because of Germany's inflation, it was virtually
worthless when was ready to be released and few actually went into
circulation. By autumn of 1923 Germany's inflation was
totally out of control. The government could not issue new
notes fast enough to keep up with rising prices. The unissued
1000 Mark notes were overprinted in September 1923 as 1 Billion Mark
notes (Milliarde in German translates as 1 Billion in
English). The front of the note has the portrait of Jörg Herz
who was the Mintmaster of Nuremberg in the early 16th
century. The back has gulloche patterns and the
denomination. The note is
140x90mm. They
make a fascinating lesson about inflation.
Item
PM-DE-BILLOVPT-C
GERMANY 1 BILLION (MILLARDE) MARK OVERPRINTED ON 1000 MARK 1922 NOTE
P113 VF $7.00
CLICK
HERE to see our exhibit on the coins and notes of the German
Hyperinflation
OLD PRE-1945
UNCANCELLED
GERMAN BONDS
We recently acquired an amazing hoard of old, uncancelled, German
bonds. The bonds date from about 1924 to 1943.
These were high quality bonds that were probably held as an investment
- until Germany lost the war. Most were issued by state or
municipal banks in denominations ranging from 100 Marks to 1000 Marks
or more. Many are Pfandbrief (secure mortgage bonds - which
supposedly have never defaulted in over 200 years) or are payable in
gold. Some include coupons - with all coupons after mid-1945
still remaining. Most are about 8.5" x 12" (21cm x
29cm). We have seen some similar bonds sell for $50 or more,
but we have far too many varieties to list them individually, so will
sell them by general type at a discounted price. Every lot is
different. All bonds are uncancelled and are in nice
condition.
Item
BND-DE-REICH
GERMAN REICHSMARK BOND 1926-1938 Uncancelled
$8.00
Item
BND-DE-REICHx3
3 DIFFERENTGERMAN REICHSMARK BOND 1926-1938
Uncancelled
$19.00
Item
BND-DE-WWII
GERMAN WORLD WAR II REICHSMARK
BOND, 1939-1944, Uncancelled
$7.00
Item
BND-DE-WWIIx5
5 DIFFERENT GERMAN WORLD WAR II REICHSMARK
BONDS, 1939-1944, Uncancelled
$25.00
HISTORIC
1930 YOUNG PLAN BONDS ATTEMPT TO PAY GERMAN WAR
REPARATIONS
After its defeat in World War I, Germany was saddled with heavy war
reparations, the repayment of which contributed to the 1923 German
hyperinflation and helped bring Hitler to power. An attempt
was made in 1924 to restructure the payments, however that quickly
failed. A second attempt was made in 1929. The
proposal was known as the Young Plan. It was named after its
chairman, American industrialist Owen D. Young, who founded the Radio
Corporation of America (RCA) and was Chairman of General
Electric. The Young Plan reduced payments by about
20%, stretched payment out over 58 years, and created the Bank of
International Settlements to facilitate the reparation
payments. One third of the annual reparations were to be paid
by Germany from general revenue, however that payment could be
postponed. Two thirds of the annual payments were to be financed by a
consortium of American banks and were "unconditional". In
1930 bonds were issued various currencies to help implement the
plan. The plan however quickly failed. The stock
market crash of 1929, the start of the Great Depression and the
collapse of international trade made the plan infeasible. As might be
expected, the plan was unpopular with most Germans and Hitler made
repudiation of the war reparations a major element of his
campaigns. He repudiated the debt after becoming Chancellor
in 1933. After Germany's defeat in World War II the payments were again
restructured, and Germany finally paid off the last of its reparation
debt and interest in 2020, 92 years after its defeat in World War
I. We offer ab historic `000 Swiss Francs 1930
Young Plan Bond. The bonds paid 5
1/2% interest. They have texts in German, English and
French. The large sized bonds measure
approximately 11.75" x 16.5" (300 x 420mm) and have been punch
canceled. The Swiss bonds
include a partial sheet of 41 coupons, dating from June 1, 1945 to June
1 1965. They are important but rarely seen financial
instruments.
Item
BND-YOUNG-SWISS 1000 SWISS FRANCS 1930 YOUNG
BOND
VF-cancelled
$7.00
FIRST NAZI GERMAN
COIN
This
nickel 1 Reichsmark was the first new coin introduced by the Nazi
government after they assumed power in 1933. The obverse has
the
date and denomination. The reverse features the German
imperial
eagle and the legend "
Gemeinnutz
vor Eigennutz" which translates as
"
Common Good Takes
Priority over Self-interest". The legend
was
the final point in the Nazi's 25-Point Program which gave the Reich
unlimited authority. The 23mm coin was struck in
nickel and
was minted
from 1933 until 1939. The coins were recalled and melted
after the start of World War II as the nickel was needed for the war
effort. Today it is one of the hardest to find of all the
regular issue Nazi German coins.
Item
DE-1RMK NAZI GERMANY NICKEL 1 REICHSMARK
1933-39 KM78 VF-XF $12.00
GERMANY CELEBRATES
1st ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI RULE
Nazi
Germany celebrated the first anniversary of Nazi rule with these silver
commemorative 2 and 5 Reichsmark coins dated 1934. Both coins
have the same design. The reverse portrays the Potsdam Garrison Church
and the date 21 March, 1933. It was at this church
that date that Hitler ceremonially opened the first Reichstag of the
Third Reich, officially ushering in Nazi control of Germany The obverse
depicts the German Eagle and two small swastikas. The 25mm 2 Reichsmark
coin is struck in .625 fine silver and contains .1607 troy oz. of
silver. The 29mm 5 Reichsmark coin is struck in .900 fine
silver and contains .4016 troy oz. of silver.
Item
DE-81 NAZI GERMANY SILVER 2 REICHSMARK 1934,
1st. ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI RULE KM81 VF $18.00
Item
DE-82 NAZI GERMANY SILVER 5 REICHSMARK 1934,
1st. ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI RULE KM82 VF $32.00
NAZI
GERMANY SILVER COINS
NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 2 REICHSMARK
This
historic silver 2 Reichsmark was struck by Nazi Germany from 1936 until
production was halted by the start of World War II in 1939. One side
depicts a Nazi Eagle holding a swastika with the legend "
Deutsches Reich",
along with the date and denomination. The other side pictures Paul Von
Hindenburg, who turned Germany over to Hitler. Hitler honored him by
putting him on this coin. The coin is approximately the size of a
quarter and has an unusual lettered edge. The coin contains .1607 troy
ounces of silver and grades Very Fine or better. It is an historic coin
of the failed Third Reich.
Item DE-93 NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 2 REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/SWASTIKA 1936-39 KM93 VF $13.00
Item DE-93x5 5 of
the above NAZI
SILVER 2 REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/SWASTIKA 1936-39 KM93 VF $59.00
POTSDAM
GARRISON CHURCH ON NAZI SILVER 5 REICHSMARK
The
Potsdam Garrison Church, also known as the Potsdam Military Church, is
featured on this Nazi German silver 5 Reichsmark. It was at this church
that on March 21, 1933 Hitler ceremonially opened the first Reichstag
of the Third Reich, officially ushering in Nazi control of Germany. To
honor the event, the Church was featured on this silver 5 Reichsmark.
The obverse depicts a Germanic Eagle, two small swastikas and the
legend
"Deutsches Reich".
The church was built by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I between 1730
and 1735, and was destroyed by fire on April 14, 1945. Two weeks later
Hitler committed suicide. The coin is approximately the size of a Half
Dollar and has an unusual lettered edge. It is struck in .900 fine
silver, which was the same as was used for United States coins. It
contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. It was struck only 2 years, 1934
and 1935, before being replaced in 1935 with a new design featuring
Paul von Hindenburg.
Item DE-83 NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5
REICHSMARK MILITARY CHURCH 1934-35 KM83 VF $25.00
Item DE-83x3 4 of the
NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5
REICHSMARK MILITARY CHURCH 1934-35 KM83 VF $69.00
HINDENBURG
& EAGLE ON NAZI GERMANY SILVER 5 REICHSMARK
German
President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor of
Germany, putting Germany under Nazi rule. Hindenburg died the following
year in August 1934. Hitler honored him by putting him on this silver 5
Reichsmark coin. Hitler himself never appeared on any official German
coins or currency. The obverse depicts the head of Hindenburg. The
reverse side features a Germanic Eagle, the date, denomination and the
legend
"Deutsches Reich".
The coin was struck for only about a year starting in mid 1936. In
mid-1936 the reverse was changed to a new design. The coin is
approximately the size of a Half Dollar and has an unusual lettered
edge. It is struck in .900 fine silver, which was the same as was used
for United States coins. It contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. It is
a short-lived Nazi Germany coin.
Item DE-86 NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5
REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/EAGLE 1935-36 KM86 VF $22.00
Item DE-86x5 5 of the
NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5
REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/EAGLE 1935-36 KM86 VF $105.00
HINDENBURG
& SWASTIKA ON NAZI GERMANY SILVER 5
REICHSMARK
In
mid-1936 Nazi Germany revised the reverse of their 5 Reichsmark,
replacing the Germanic Eagle with a Nazi Eagle holding a Swastika. The
obverse, featuring the Paul von Hindenburg was left unchanged.
Thevsilver 2 Reichsmark coin
bearing the same design of Hindenburg and the Nazi Eagle holding the
Swastika was introduced at the same time. The coin continued to be
minted until 1939, when it was discontinued due to the war effort. The
coin is approximately the size of a Half Dollar and has an unusual
lettered edge. It is struck in .900 fine silver, which was the same as
was used for United States coins. It contains .4016 troy ounces of
silver. The coin serves as a reminder of the brief but destructive
"1000 Year Reich".
Item DE-94 NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5 REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/SWASTIKA 1936-39 KM94 VF $29.00
Item DE-94x5 5 of the
NAZI
GERMANY SILVER 5 REICHSMARK HINDENBURG/SWASTIKA 1936-39 KM94 VF $129.00
SPECIAL -
ALL 4 OF
THE ABOVE NAZI GERMAN SILVER COINS
Buy
the set and save!
Item DE-SSET4 SET OF
ABOVE 4 NAZI GERMAN SILVER COINS
$85.00
Item DE-SSET4x5 5
SETS
OF
ABOVE 4 NAZI GERMAN SILVER COINS
$410.00
NAZI
GERMAN 8 COIN SET
This set consists of the eight lower denominations of Nazi German coins
each showing the eagle and swastika. The 1937-1939 issues include the
1, 2, 5 and 10 Reichspfennig made from copper or aluminum-bronze
alloys. In 1939 an aluminum 50 Reichspfennig with the Eagle and
Swastika was introduced, and was
produced until 1944. In 1940 the 1, 5 and 10 Reichspfennig
were switched to zinc and the 2 Reichspfennig was discontinued due to
the war. All eight coins grade VF or better, though the zinc coins may
show some spots as zinc spots very easily. The coins all feature the
denomination on one side and an eagle holding a swastika on the other.
Item
DE-NAZISET8 NAZI GERMAN 8 COIN SET 1- 50
REICHSPFENNIG, 1937-1944 VF $22.00
Item
DE-NAZISET8x3 3 Sets of NAZI GERMAN 8 COIN
SET 1- 50
REICHSPFENNIG, 1937-1944 VF $59.00
NAZI
GERMAN 14 COIN
SET
This 14 coin set includes the regular issue coins of Nazi
Germany listed above. Included are the following coins: The bronze 1
and 2
Reichspfennig issued from 1936 to 1940 with an eagle and swastika. The
aluminum-bronze (brass) 5 and 10 Reichspfennig issued from 1936 to 1939
with an eagle and swastika. The aluminum 50 Reichspfennig
picturing an eagle, which was dated only one year, 1935. The nickel 1
Reichsmark with an eagle which was issued from 1933 to 1939. Because
nickel was a critical war material, most were melted during the
War. The silver 5 Reichmark issued in 1934 and 1935 pictures
the Potsdam Garrison Church where Hitler was sworn into office on one
side and an eagle and two small swastikas on the other. Paul
von Hindenburg and an Eagle are on the silver 5 Reichsmark dated 1935
and 1936. The silver 2 Reichsmark and 5 Reichsmark
dating from 1936 to 1939 pictures Hindenburg on one side and an eagle
holding a swastika during the other. Because of
World War II, the only coins issued after 1940 were the zinc 1, 5 and
10 Reichspfennig, which depict an eagle holding a swastika. The coins
grade Very Fine or better, though the zinc coins may have
some spots. Because of the difficulty in obtaining all 14 coins at one
time, I rarely am able to offer this historic set.
(Note: this set includes the coins from Nazi set of 4 silver
coins and the Nazi 8 coin set listed above, plus the aluminum 1935 50
Reichspfennig which was issued that single year, and the scarce nickel
1 Reichsmark)
Item
DE-NAZISET14 NAZI GERMAN 14 COIN SET 1
REICHSPFENNIG - 5 REICHSMARK 1934-44 VF $125.00
NAZI GERMAN
CURRENCY
The following notes were used in Nazi Germany throughout World War II
and remained legal tender until 1948. The notes bear two
dates: the date the note was first authorized, and the date the issuing
bank was authorized to issue currency. The Reichsbank was first
authorized to issue cufrrency on August 20, 1924. Unlike
coins, the date is not
the year the note was printed. These Reichsbank notes were
supposedly backed by gold.
RARE
1000 REICHSMARK NOTE
The 1000 Reichsmark is
dated 1936 but was not released until 1944. It
was the highest denomination issued by Nazi Germany. It was a
considerable sum – about 5 months pay for a skilled worker, so was
generally used only for commercial and bank transactions. The
front has a large swastika underprint and depicts Karl
Friedrich Schinkel, a famed 19th century Prussian architect, city
planner and painter who also designed furniture, stage sets and the
famed Iron Cross military medal. The back includes a medallion of a man
holding a pair of compasses flanked by a nude, and somewhat emaciated,
woman and man. The note is 190 x 95mm.
Item
PM-DE-NAZI1000RMK GERMANY 1000
REICHSMARK NOTE 1936
P184 AU-UNC.
$275.00
100
REICHSMARK
NOTE FEATURES SWASTIKA 
The first Nazi German note
to feature a swastika was the 1935 100
Reichsmark, A large swastika underprint at the
center of the front of the note. To the right is Justus von
Liebig, a 19th century German
chemist who is called the "Father of the Fertilizer Industry" for his
discovery of
nitrogen as an essential plant nutrient. The back depicts
allegorical figures. The note was was about half a month's pay for a
skilled
laborer. The note is 180 x 90mm
Item
PM-DE-NAZI100RMK GERMANY 100
REICHSMARK NOTE 1935
P183 Fine-VF
$20.00
FIRST
BANKNOTE ISSUED BY NAZI GERMANY
Reduced
size images
The 50 Reichsmark dated
March 30, 1933 was the first banknote issued
under the Nazi regime. It features the portrait and
watermark of 19th century
Prussian politician and banker David Hansemann. The back
features a portrait of Mercury in a medallion flanked by two small
children. The
design does not include a swastika. The note is 170 x 85mm
Item
PM-DE-50RMK NAZI GERMANY 50 REICHSMARK NOTE
1933 P182 Fine-VF $10.00
Reduced
size images
The
20 Reichsmark note
dated 1929 portrays Ernst Werner
Siemens, the 19th century
German industralist and inventor who founded the Siemens A.G. which has
expanded into a multi-national company producing a wide range products.
The back features
children holding tools and a worker carrying a
hammer. It has a watermark of Siemans at the left
and
an embosed seal near the lower left corner. The note
continued in circulation throughout World War II.
Item
PM-DE-NAZI20RMK-29C GERMANY 20 REICHSMARK NOTE
1929
P181 Fine-VF $3.00
NAZI
GERMAN 20 REICHSMARK NOTE
FEATURES AUSTRIAN MAIDEN
In 1939 a new 20
Reichsmark note was introduced, with a design adopted
from an unissued Austrian note. Austria had been forcibly
incorporated into the Third Reich the previous year. The
front depicts a young woman holding edelweiss. There is also
a small eagle and swastika and a large swastika underprint.
The back pictures the Dachstein Glacier on Lake Gosausee in Austria.
To the left is a man holding an ax. To the right is
a man sowing
seeds. The watermark depicts the young maiden.
Item
PM-DE-NAZI20RMK-39U GERMANY 20 REICHSMARK NOTE
1939
P185 AU-UNC. $55.00
Reduced
size images
The
10 Reichsmark depicts
Albrecht Thaer, a 19th Century German
agriculturalist who applied scientific principles to agriculture and
set up one of the first agricultural colleges. The back
features two children and a woman carrying a sickle. The note
is dated January 22, 1929 and was issued until 1945. It has
a watermark of Thaer at the
right and an embosed seal near the lower left corner.
Item
PM-DE-NAZI10RMKC GERMANY 10 REICHSMARK NOTE
1929
P180 F-VF $4.00
NAZI
GERMAN 5
REICHSMARK
NOTE FEATURES HITLER YOUTH
Reduced
size image
Nazi Germany introduced
this 5 Reichsmark note in 1942 to replace
the silver 5 Reichsmark coins which were discontinued in
1939.
The front of the note features a German young man, along with a small
eagle and swastika. The back depicts a woman with a sickle and a man
with a wood plane, representing farming and
industry.
Between them is a vignette of the Brunswick Cathedral and the Brunswick
Lion statue. The Lion was commissioned by Henry the Lion
about
1166AD. The statue is the oldest, preserved large sculpture
from
the Middle Ages north of the Alps. The note measures 140x70mm and is
brown. The left side features a watermark of the numeral "5",
Item
PM-DE-NAZI5RMKC NAZI GERMANY 5 REICHSMARK
NOTE,
1942 P186 F-VF. $12.00
Item
PM-DE-NAZI5RMKU NAZI GERMANY 5 REICHSMARK
NOTE,
1942 P186 AU-UNC. $30.00
NAZI
GERMAN 1 & 2 RENTENMARK NOTES
In
1937 Nazi Germany introduced a 1 Rentenmark note, in order to
replace the
nickel 1
Reichsmark coin. The coin was to be withdrawn so that the
nickel could be used in the upcoming war efforts. The
Rentenmark was equivalent to the Reichsmark,
however it was issued by
the Rentenbank rather than the Reichsbank and the currency was
theoretically backed by land rather than by gold. The note has the
embossed seal of the Rentenbank at the lower right hand corner.
A 1937 2 Rentenmark with a similar design was also issued and
was widely used after the minting of
silver
2 Reichmark was discontinued after the start of
World War II in 1939.
Item
PM-DE-1RNTMK NAZI GERMANY 1 RENTENMARK NOTE
1937
P173 F-VF $5.00
Item
PM-DE-2RNTMK NAZI GERMANY 2 RENTENMARK NOTE
1937
P174 XF $7.00
NAZI GERMAN
CONVERSION FUND
NOTES USED TO PAY JEWS
Jewish and other refugees fleeing Nazi Germany would sometimes be paid
for their confiscated property with these Conversion Fund Notes,
(called Konversionskasse fur Deutsche Auslandsschulden.) The notes were
not legal tender nor were they transferable. Redemption of the notes
was difficult, if not impossible. In most cases their owners
found them to be eventually worthless. The original issue is dated
1933. The 1934 has two red guilloches overprinted on the left
side of the 1933 notes, with the lower guilloche containing the date
1934. The large sized notes measure 200 x 115mm. The notes
are Uncirculated and perforated "ENTWERTET" (CANCELLED). They are
historic and rarely seen items.
Item
PM-DE-5M33 GERMANY 5 REICHSMARK CONVERSION
FUND NOTE 1933 CANCELLED P199 UNC. $60.00
Item
PM-DE-10M34 GERMANY 10 REICHSMARK CONVERSION
FUND NOTE 1934 CANCELLED P208 UNC. $65.00
WORLD WAR II
GERMAN
MILITARY CURRENCY
Wehrmacht military currency was used by Nazi Germany to pay its troops
during the final months of World War II. The notes are dated
September 15, 1944. Soldiers were paid in military scrip while in
transit. When a soldier arrived at his post the notes could be
converted to the local currency or occupation notes. The notes all have
similar designs. The front includes a small Eagle holding a Swastika
and the inscription "VERRECHNUNGSSEN FUR DIE DEUTSCHE WEHRMACHT"
(Clearing notes for German Armed Forces) The back of the note includes
regulations and instructions on how to use the notes. They are
interesting and historic pieces of World War II military history.
Item
PM-DE-MILIT10M GERMAN MILITARY 10
REICHSMARK NOTE 1944
PM40 AU-UNC. $20.00
CLICK HERE FOR OUR NAZI COIN LIST
CLICK HERE FOR WORLD WAR II COIN & CURRENCY PAGE
FIRST
COINS OF
EAST GERMANY
East Germany issued its first coins in 1948 while it was still under
the occupation of the Soviet Army. The coins consisted of the
aluminum 1, 5 and 10 Pfennig. The coins featured an ear of
grain and a cogwheel, which symbolized a communist "Workers' and
Farmers' state". The denomination was on the other
side. In 1950 East
Germany struck an aluminum-bronze 50 Pfennig depicting factories
pouring out pollution. In those days factories splewing out
smoke was considered good as it was symbol of modern industry.
In 1952 a new series of aluminum 1, 5 and 10 Pfennig
coins
was introduced. The obverse showing the denomination was
basically unchanged, however the new reverse designs featured a
compass, hammer and two ears of grain. The compass
represented the intelligentsia, who were supposed to be leading the
workers (hammer) and farmers (grain). Most of the workers and
farmers that I know do not like the idea of being led by a bunch
of intelligentsia who have little idea of what life is like
in
"the real world". Perhaps that is a clue as to why so many
wanted
to escape from East Germany and why it later
collapsed. The
new designs were
issued only
two years: 1952 and 1953. After the reunification of Germany,
the East German coins were withdrawn from circulation and melted.
Item
EGER-SET48 EAST GERMANY 3 COIN SET 1 - 10
PFENNIG 1948-50 KM1-3 VF
$4.00
Item
EGER-50PF EAST GERMANY 50 PFENNIG 1950 KM4
VF
$6.00
Item
EGER-SET52 EAST GERMANY 3 COIN SET 1 - 10
PFENNIG 1952-53 KM5-7 VF-XF $3.00
EAST GERMAN 5
MARK
COMMEMORATIVES
East
Germany issued an annual series of popular and well struck
non-circulating copper-nickel 5 Mark commemorative coins honoring
famous Germans and their achievements. The 29mm coin feature the emblem
of the German Democratic Republic on the obverse. The
denomination is repeated on the lettered edges of the coins.
The 125th anniversary of the birth of Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen
commemorated this 1970 issue which depicts his X-ray tube. He
was awarded the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his
discovery of X-rays. The 1971 issue marked the 400th
anniversary of the birth of Johannes Kepler. The design
reflects Kepler's theories regarding heliocentric planetary motions.
The 75th anniversary of the death of composer Johannes Brahms is the
theme of the 1972 issue. The design features musical
notes. The 100th anniversary of the death of physicist
Philipp Reis is honored on the 1974 issue. Reis invented a
telephone in 1861, pre-dating Alexander Graham Bell's telephone by more
than a decade. However, Reis's telephone was delicate, tricky
and produced inconsistent results. An image of his telephone
apparatus appears on the coin. The 200th Anniversary of the
birth of military officer Ferdinand von Schill is commemorated on the
1976 issue. In 1809 he led an unsuccessful revolt to liberate
the portions of Germany that were controlled by Napoleon. The
coin features his sword and military hat. The 125th
anniversary of the death of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the father of German
gymnastics, is on the 1977 issue. His portrait appears on the
coin.
Item
EGER-RONT70 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1970 RONTGEN
KM26 BU $15.00
Item
EGER-KEPLER71 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1971 KEPLER
KM30 BU $20.00
Item
EGER-BRAHMS72 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1972
BRAHAMS KM36.1 BU $17.00
Item
EGER-REIS74 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1974 REIS
KM49 BU $15.00
Item
EGER-SCHILL76 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1976 VON
SCHILL KM60 BU $15.00
Item
EGER-JAHN77 EAST GERMAN 5 MARK 1977 JAHN
KM64 BU $15.00
SCARCE,
UNRELEASED
BANKNOTES OF
EAST GERMANY
These scarce 200 and 500 Mark East German notes are rarely seen in any
collections.
They are the highest denominations ever printed by East Germany and
were some of the last banknotes ever printed by East Germany. The
notes
were dated 1985, however the East German government
collapsed
before the notes were released into circulation. After the
collapse of East Germany the notes were put into storage in old
Nazi
bunkers. A very limited number of notes were "liberated" from a
bunker
by teenagers who found a hidden entrance to the bunker, before
the German government destroyed all of the remaining
notes.
The front of 200 Mark note features a family standing in front of a
government apartment complex. The back pictures a group of young school
children and their teacher. The 500 Mark
pictures
the East German Arms and the Staatsrat building in Berlin.
Item
PM-EGER-SET2 EAST GERMANY 200 & 500
MARK NOTES, 1985 P32 & P33, AU-UNC. $48.00
BETHEL
FOUNDATION CURRENCY FROM
GERMANY
The
Bethel Foundation (Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel) was founded in
1867 in Prussia to care for epileptics. Its mission has
expanded to care for mentally ill and other challenged
people. It is headquartered in the Bethel district of
Bielefeld and has facilities in eight German states serving 200,000
people per year. It issued its first currency in
1908. After World War II it was the only private institution
in West
Germany authorized to issue its own currency. The notes are
accepted at Bethel facilities and selected
merchants. This four-note set of Bethel currency
includes the 50 Pfennig, 2, 5 and 20 Mark notes dated from 1957 to
1973. In 2002 the notes were replaced with Euro denominated
currency.
Item
PM-BETHEL BETHEL FOUNDATION, GERMANY: 4 NOTE
SET, 50 Pfennig - 20 Mark 1957-1973 UNC. $15.00
GERMANY
CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY OF UNIFICATION
Germany
commemorated the 25th anniversary of the unification of East and West
Germany with this circulating 2015 bi-metallic 2 Euro coin. The obverse
shows celebrating the unification in front of the
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the legend "
WIR SIND EIN VOLK"
(We are one people) repeated three times. The standard 2 Euro
design featuring a map of Europe is used on the reverse. The edge
includes the inscription translating as "Unity and law and
freedom". The coin was produced by all five of Germany’s
mints: (Berlin=A, Munich= D, Stuttgart = F, Karlsruhe = G,
Hamburg = J) The mintmark is found near the feet of the
people. It is probably the most significant commemorative issued by
Germany in recent years.
Item
DE-2E15UNIFY-ANY GERMANY 2 EUROS 2015 25th
Anniversary of Unification, Mint of Joel's choice $6.00
GERMAN POLYMER RING 5 EURO COINS
Item
DE-5E-18ST GERMANY 5 EURO 2018-G SUBTROPICAL
ZONE UNC. $12.50
Item
DE-5E-19TM GERMANY 5 EURO 2018-F TEMPERATE
ZONE UNC. $12.50
GERMAN 2
EUROS CELEBRATESTHE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
Germany
commemorated the 30th anniversary of the fall of the
Berlin wall with this 2019 2 Euro coin. The opening of the Berlin wall
in November 1989 led to the collapse of
East Germany and the reunification of the nation. The design,
created by a French engraver, represents joyous people and doves
passing through an opening in the Berlin Wall. In the
background
is the Brandenburg Gate. The "graffiti" on the
wall reads "
30 JAHRE
MAUERFAL" (30 years fall of the Berlin
Wall). At the bottom right is a "D" for Deutschland
(Germany). The coins were struck at all five German mints
(A=Berlin, D=Munich,
F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg). The mintmark is at the bottom
left of the design. It is small and hard to see. All the
coins
have the standard 2 Euro reverse featuring a map of Europe.
Item
DE-2E19WALL GERMANY 2 EUROS BERLIN WALL
2019 (Mint of our choice) UNC. $5.75
Item
DE-2E19WALL-ALL GERMANY ALL
5 MINTS (A, D, F, G, J) BERLIN WALL 2 EUROS UNC. $28.50
GERMANY COMMEMORATES WILLY BRANDT'S WARSAW GENUFLECTION
Germany
commemorated
the 50th Anniversary of Chancellor Willy Brandt's "Warsaw
Genuflection" on this 2020 2 Euro coin. On December 7, 1970,
during his visit to
Warsaw, Brandt spontaneously fell to his knees in front a monument to
the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The 1943 revolt was the largest
single revolt by Jews against Nazi Germany during World War
II. Before the war some 250,000 Jews lived in the
Ghetto. Virtually every Jew in the Ghetto was exterminated,
either in death camps before or after the uprising or killed during the
uprising. The Treaty of Warsaw, in which West Germany
recognized the new borders of Poland, was signed during his visit,
easing some of the tensions of the Cold War.
Item
DE-2E20-GENU
GERMANY 2 EURO 2020
WARSAW GENUFLECTION, UNC. (Mint of our choice) $6.00
GERMANY HONORS
SAXONY-ANHALT
ON 2021 2 EURO
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of their
Bundesländer (states) with this 2021 issue for Saxony-Anhalt
(Sachsen-Anhalt). The coin depicts the Magdeburg
Cathedral. The
Cathedral is the oldest Gothic Cathedral in
Germany. Construnction
was started in 1209 on the site of an abbey. It was not
completed
until over 300 years later in 1520. The coins were struck at all five
German mints (A=Berlin, D=Munich, F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg).
The mintmark is at the left of the cathedral.
Item
DE-2E21-SAX GERMANY 2 EURO 2021
SAXONY-ANHALT mint our
choice,UNC. $6.00
Item
DE-2E21-SAX-ALL5 ALL 5 MINTS (A,D,F,G,J)
SAXONY-ANHALT
2 EURO 2021, UNC.
$29.50
2022 GERMAN 2 EURO FEATURES
WARTBURG CASTLE
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of its
states with this 2022 issue for Thuringia, which is located in central
Germany. The coin depicts the famous Wartburg Castle
overlooking the city of Eisenach. The castle is a UNESCO
heritage site. Parts of it date back to the 12th
century. It was the home of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and
where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German following
his excommunication by the Pope. The mintmark appears to the
right of the castle. The "D" below the castle is for
Deutschland.
Item
DE-2E22-WART GERMANY 2 EURO 2022 THURINGIA,
mint of Joel's choice UNC.
$6.00
Item
DE-2E22-WARTx5 GERMANY 2 EURO 2022
THURINGIA,
ALL 5 MINTS: A,D,F,G & J UNC. $29.95
2023 GERMAN 2 EURO CELEBRATES
CHARLEMAGNE
Germany
celebrated the 1275th anniversary of the birth of Charlemagne with this
circulating 2023 2 Euro coin. Charlemagne is known as Karl the Great in
Germany. He unified central and western Europe for the first
time since the fall of the Roman Empire centuries earlier. He
was crowned King of the Franks, King of the Lombards and Emperor of the
Romans, and started what became known as the Holy Roman
Empire. He ruled from his capital in Aachen,
Germany. The coin depicts Charlemagne's monogram over the
octagon of Aachen Cathedral. At the lower right is the "D"
for Deutschland followed by the mintmark A=Berlin, D=Munich,
F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg). At the bottom are the
dates of his birth and death: "748-814".
Item
DE-2E23-KARL GERMANY 2 EURO 2023 CHARLEMAGNE
mint of Joel's choice UNC.
$6.00
Item
DE-2E23-KARLx5 GERMANY 2 EURO 2023
CHARLEMAGNE,
ALL 5 MINTS: A,D,F,G & J UNC. $29.50
Also see:
GERMAN 2 EURO
COMMEMORATIVE COINS
<--
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This
silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig was issued by
Friedrich II (Frederick II) who was the
Prince-Elector of the
Margravate of Brandenburg from
1440 to 1470. It is believed that he was nicknamed "The Irontooth" or
"The
Iron" due to his great strength and power. Friedrich
strengthened Brandenburg forming the basis of what was to become
Prussia and the German Empire. The rights of the towns and
nobility were curtailed and he regained Neumark (East Brandenburg) from
the Teutonic Knights. The citizens of Berlin revolted when he
attempted to build a palace on Colin island in the Spree
river. Friedrich prevailed, built the castle that became the
Stadtschloss (Berlin Palace), and the rights of the city were greatly
curtailed. The Stadtschloss was torn down by East Germany in the 1950's
and is now being rebuilt. The silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig is
an extremely thin and single sided coin wtih a raised rim.
The
design is
embossed from the reverse. This coin is approximately 16mm in
diameter and features an eagle with outstretched wings.
Because the coins are so thin and fragile, few survive today.
By
the
end of the 14th Century the Ottoman Turks had conquered much of the
Balkans and were threatening Hungary. In 1429, Sigismund,
King of Hungary asked the Teutonic Order for help in fighting the
Turks. Teutonic Knights under the command of Komtur Nikolaus
von Redwitz came to help defend the Iron Gates, the narrowest part of
the Danube. In exchange the Knights were given land near
Severin, a border area between Transylvania and the Ottoman
Empire. The Knights were at first successful and in 1431
Nikolaus von Redwitz was given the titles “Banus of Severin” and “Count
of the Mint and Salt Chambers in Transylvania”.
However, the Hungarian nobility prevented the Knights from
strengthening their fortifications and denied them help in their fight
against the Turks. Without the needed support, the Knights
withdrew and returned to Prussia in 1434. This small, crude,
debased Obol was struck in Severin by Nikolaus von Redwitz between 1430
and 1434. One side bears a crowned shield with a cross. A
standing figure is on the other side. A small hoard
recently came out
making this rare Teutonic Order coin from a little-known territory
affordable – until the hoard is gone.
The
German Empire, also called the Second Reich or the Kaiserreich, lasted
from the unification of Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1871 until
the abdication of Wilhelm II in 1918 when Germany was defeated in World
War I. The formerly independent German states were
allowed to issue coins in denominations of 2 Marks or higher.
The coins were all struck to the same standards. The 2 Mark
is 28mm and contained .3215 troy ounces of silver, the 3 Mark is 33mm
and contained .4823 ounces of silver, the 5 Mark is 38mm and contained
.8037 troy ounces of silver. The coins were all struck in
.900 fine silver. Most had a common reverse featuring the crowned
imperial German Eagle and a lettered edge "GOTT MIT UNS" (God
with us). The smaller states issued only a few coins, most
with low mintages, marking special events. Many coins were
melted during World War I, the German Inflation and World War II,
making them scarce today. 
Bavaria
commemorated the 90th birthday of Prince Regent Luitpold with 2, 3 and
5 Mark coins in 1911. All three coins have the same design
featuring the bust of Luitpold. Luitpold was the regent for
Bavarian King Otto. King Otto who was the younger brother of
"The Mad"
King Ludwig II. On June 10, 1886 the Bavarian cabinet
declared Ludwig unable to rule and appointed his uncle Luitpold as
Regent. Three days later Ludwig died under mysterious
circumstances and Otto became king. King Otto was never able
to rule as he was immediately declared "melancholic" and Luitpold
continued as regent. It is unclear if Otto's problem was
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from his service in the Franco-Prussian
War, the ravages of Syphilis, an inherited disorder or if Luitpold and
others just wanted him out of the way. The King was kept
locked up and there was no apparent effort to treat him. In 1912
Luitpold died and his son succeeded him as regent.
In
1909 Germany introduced the nickel 25 Pfennig coin. It was
felt a denomination was needed between the 10 and 50 Pfennig coins in
order to help shop keepers make change. The coin proved
unpopular and was discontinued in 1912, after only four years and most
were subsequently melted for their metal during World War I..
One side of the
23mm coin featured the crowned German Imperial Eagle with a shield on
its breast. The other side had the denomination within a
wreath of grain. It is an attractive, but little-known coin
of the German Empire.
Because
copper and nickel were needed for the war effort, Germany switched the
copper-nickel 5 Pfennig to iron in 1915, and the 10 Pfennig to iron in
1916. Both coins continued to be struck in iron until 1922,
by which time inflation had eroded their value so much they were no
longer needed. Both coins have the denomination and date on one side
and the Germanic Eagle on the other.
This attractive 50 Mark note is the
last note of the German Empire. It
is dated June 23, 1919, some seven months after Germany's defeat in
World War I and less than 7 weeks before the signing of the new
constitution in Weimar which formally ended the German Empire and
ushered in the weak and chaotic Weimar Republic. The large, green note
measures 153x102mm and features an allegorical figure of a woman
against a starry background.
During
World War I many communities in Germany issued their own coins called
"Kriegsgeld" which translates as war money. We offer a set of two
Kriegsgeld from the city of Coblenz (now Koblenz) dated 1918.
The iron 10 and 25 Pfennig have the same design. One side has
the city name, arms and the legend "GÜLTIG
BIS 1 JAHR NACH
FRIEDENSSCHLUSS" which translates as "Good for 1 Year
after the
conclusion of Peace". The other side has the denomination and
date. 
The
German city of Bonn commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth
of Ludwig van Beethoven on these 1920 10, 25 and 50 Pfennig coins.
All three coins have the same basic design with
Beethoven's bust and the dates 1770 and 1920 are on the obverse and the
denomination is on the
reverse. The coins are struck in zinc plated iron. Beethoven
was born in Bonn and studied there before moving to
Vienna in 1792. During and after World War I many German
cities and towns issued their own coins, called notgeld (emergency
money) to alleviate a severe coin shortage brought on by the war.
Notgeld
coins were struck for over 600 communities and companies in Germany
between 1916 and 1922, though many are not dated. Most are in
denominated from 5 to 50 Pfennig. Typically the city arms or landmark
is on one side and the denomination is on the other. They
were usually struck in zinc or iron, both of which corrode easily, so
the
coins may be spotted or rusted.
St.
Martin's Day, also called Old Halloween, takes place November
11. It marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of
winter. In Germany it was celebrated with feasting, bonfires,
processions and small gifts for children. The back of this 1921 dated
25 Pfennig note from the German city of Nordhausen depicts three men
drinking and feasting on a traditional St. Martin's Goose along with
two St. Martin candles, a cooked goose and fish on platters. Below is a
poem which roughly translates as "With
a sip of Korn (a strong liquor
produced in Nordhausen), A
slice of meat, That’s the way the Nordhauser
people celebrate with a St. Martin's goose feast".
The front
of the note features the Nordhausen coat of arms. The
colorful note is 84x55mm.
Item
PM-DE-NOTx30C 30 DIFFERENT CIRCULATED.
GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES VG-XF $15.00
The Weimar Republic was formed after
the defeat of the German Empire in
World War I. Its early years were a tumultuous period of
uprisings, riots and massive inflation. It is named after the
city where the new German constitution was written and adopted in
August, 1919, and lasted until the rise of the Nazis in
1933. The 100 Mark note features two
images of the head of the “Bamberg Horseman”. The horseman is
an impressive 13th century sculpture in the Bamberg
Cathedral. The Bamberg
Horsman depicts a famous king, however which king it is is a matter of
debate. The note is dated November 1, 1920, measures
162x108mm and includes
the red Weimar Republic crest. 
This
set of nine banknotes issued by the German government vividly
illustrates the 1920-1923 hyperinflation. This set includes
the 1 and 2 Mark dated March 1, 1920. The notes were needed because all
silver 1 Mark coins had disappeared from circulation. The
large-size (162 x 108mm) 100 Mark note is dated November 1, 1920 and
depicts the head of the Bamberg Horseman. It was worth about
$1.50 when first issued. Also included is the 500 Mark dated
July 7, 1922; 1000 Mark dated September 15, 1922; 5000 Mark
dated December 2, 1922 and 20,000 Mark dated February 20, 1923. The
magnificent, large 100,000 Mark is dated February 1, 1923, features a
cut from Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait "The Merchant Georg
Gisze". The last note in the collection is the 2 Million Mark
note dated August 9, 1923. It was worth less than a dollar
when introduced and would be virtually worthless in less than a month.
This
Uncirculated German 10 Million Mark note is dated August 22,
1923. This was during the height of Germany's Post-World War
I hyperinflation. When first issued it could buy a few
eggs. By November it was virtually worthless. The
note is printed on watermarked paper. In order to speed up
production of notes, it is printed on one side only. It is a
reminder of what happens when government does not control its spending.
This
nickel 1 Reichsmark was the first new coin introduced by the Nazi
government after they assumed power in 1933. The obverse has
the
date and denomination. The reverse features the German
imperial
eagle and the legend "Gemeinnutz
vor Eigennutz" which translates as
"Common Good Takes
Priority over Self-interest". The legend
was
the final point in the Nazi's 25-Point Program which gave the Reich
unlimited authority. The 23mm coin was struck in
nickel and
was minted
from 1933 until 1939. The coins were recalled and melted
after the start of World War II as the nickel was needed for the war
effort. Today it is one of the hardest to find of all the
regular issue Nazi German coins.
This
historic silver 2 Reichsmark was struck by Nazi Germany from 1936 until
production was halted by the start of World War II in 1939. One side
depicts a Nazi Eagle holding a swastika with the legend "Deutsches Reich",
along with the date and denomination. The other side pictures Paul Von
Hindenburg, who turned Germany over to Hitler. Hitler honored him by
putting him on this coin. The coin is approximately the size of a
quarter and has an unusual lettered edge. The coin contains .1607 troy
ounces of silver and grades Very Fine or better. It is an historic coin
of the failed Third Reich.
The
Potsdam Garrison Church, also known as the Potsdam Military Church, is
featured on this Nazi German silver 5 Reichsmark. It was at this church
that on March 21, 1933 Hitler ceremonially opened the first Reichstag
of the Third Reich, officially ushering in Nazi control of Germany. To
honor the event, the Church was featured on this silver 5 Reichsmark.
The obverse depicts a Germanic Eagle, two small swastikas and the
legend "Deutsches Reich".
The church was built by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I between 1730
and 1735, and was destroyed by fire on April 14, 1945. Two weeks later
Hitler committed suicide. The coin is approximately the size of a Half
Dollar and has an unusual lettered edge. It is struck in .900 fine
silver, which was the same as was used for United States coins. It
contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. It was struck only 2 years, 1934
and 1935, before being replaced in 1935 with a new design featuring
Paul von Hindenburg. 
German
President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor of
Germany, putting Germany under Nazi rule. Hindenburg died the following
year in August 1934. Hitler honored him by putting him on this silver 5
Reichsmark coin. Hitler himself never appeared on any official German
coins or currency. The obverse depicts the head of Hindenburg. The
reverse side features a Germanic Eagle, the date, denomination and the
legend "Deutsches Reich".
The coin was struck for only about a year starting in mid 1936. In
mid-1936 the reverse was changed to a new design. The coin is
approximately the size of a Half Dollar and has an unusual lettered
edge. It is struck in .900 fine silver, which was the same as was used
for United States coins. It contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. It is
a short-lived Nazi Germany coin. 
In
mid-1936 Nazi Germany revised the reverse of their 5 Reichsmark,
replacing the Germanic Eagle with a Nazi Eagle holding a Swastika. The
obverse, featuring the Paul von Hindenburg was left unchanged.
Thevsilver 2 Reichsmark coin
bearing the same design of Hindenburg and the Nazi Eagle holding the
Swastika was introduced at the same time. The coin continued to be
minted until 1939, when it was discontinued due to the war effort. The
coin is approximately the size of a Half Dollar and has an unusual
lettered edge. It is struck in .900 fine silver, which was the same as
was used for United States coins. It contains .4016 troy ounces of
silver. The coin serves as a reminder of the brief but destructive
"1000 Year Reich".
East
Germany issued an annual series of popular and well struck
non-circulating copper-nickel 5 Mark commemorative coins honoring
famous Germans and their achievements. The 29mm coin feature the emblem
of the German Democratic Republic on the obverse. The
denomination is repeated on the lettered edges of the coins.
The 125th anniversary of the birth of Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen
commemorated this 1970 issue which depicts his X-ray tube. He
was awarded the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his
discovery of X-rays. The 1971 issue marked the 400th
anniversary of the birth of Johannes Kepler. The design
reflects Kepler's theories regarding heliocentric planetary motions.
The 75th anniversary of the death of composer Johannes Brahms is the
theme of the 1972 issue. The design features musical
notes. The 100th anniversary of the death of physicist
Philipp Reis is honored on the 1974 issue. Reis invented a
telephone in 1861, pre-dating Alexander Graham Bell's telephone by more
than a decade. However, Reis's telephone was delicate, tricky
and produced inconsistent results. An image of his telephone
apparatus appears on the coin. The 200th Anniversary of the
birth of military officer Ferdinand von Schill is commemorated on the
1976 issue. In 1809 he led an unsuccessful revolt to liberate
the portions of Germany that were controlled by Napoleon. The
coin features his sword and military hat. The 125th
anniversary of the death of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the father of German
gymnastics, is on the 1977 issue. His portrait appears on the
coin.
The
Bethel Foundation (Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel) was founded in
1867 in Prussia to care for epileptics. Its mission has
expanded to care for mentally ill and other challenged
people. It is headquartered in the Bethel district of
Bielefeld and has facilities in eight German states serving 200,000
people per year. It issued its first currency in
1908. After World War II it was the only private institution
in West
Germany authorized to issue its own currency. The notes are
accepted at Bethel facilities and selected
merchants. This four-note set of Bethel currency
includes the 50 Pfennig, 2, 5 and 20 Mark notes dated from 1957 to
1973. In 2002 the notes were replaced with Euro denominated
currency. 
Germany
commemorated the 25th anniversary of the unification of East and West
Germany with this circulating 2015 bi-metallic 2 Euro coin. The obverse
shows celebrating the unification in front of the
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the legend "WIR SIND EIN VOLK"
(We are one people) repeated three times. The standard 2 Euro
design featuring a map of Europe is used on the reverse. The edge
includes the inscription translating as "Unity and law and
freedom". The coin was produced by all five of Germany’s
mints: (Berlin=A, Munich= D, Stuttgart = F, Karlsruhe = G,
Hamburg = J) The mintmark is found near the feet of the
people. It is probably the most significant commemorative issued by
Germany in recent years.
Germany
commemorated the 30th anniversary of the fall of the
Berlin wall with this 2019 2 Euro coin. The opening of the Berlin wall
in November 1989 led to the collapse of
East Germany and the reunification of the nation. The design,
created by a French engraver, represents joyous people and doves
passing through an opening in the Berlin Wall. In the
background
is the Brandenburg Gate. The "graffiti" on the
wall reads "30 JAHRE
MAUERFAL" (30 years fall of the Berlin
Wall). At the bottom right is a "D" for Deutschland
(Germany). The coins were struck at all five German mints
(A=Berlin, D=Munich,
F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg). The mintmark is at the bottom
left of the design. It is small and hard to see. All the
coins
have the standard 2 Euro reverse featuring a map of Europe.
Germany commemorated
the 50th Anniversary of Chancellor Willy Brandt's "Warsaw
Genuflection" on this 2020 2 Euro coin. On December 7, 1970,
during his visit to
Warsaw, Brandt spontaneously fell to his knees in front a monument to
the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The 1943 revolt was the largest
single revolt by Jews against Nazi Germany during World War
II. Before the war some 250,000 Jews lived in the
Ghetto. Virtually every Jew in the Ghetto was exterminated,
either in death camps before or after the uprising or killed during the
uprising. The Treaty of Warsaw, in which West Germany
recognized the new borders of Poland, was signed during his visit,
easing some of the tensions of the Cold War.
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of their
Bundesländer (states) with this 2021 issue for Saxony-Anhalt
(Sachsen-Anhalt). The coin depicts the Magdeburg
Cathedral. The
Cathedral is the oldest Gothic Cathedral in
Germany. Construnction
was started in 1209 on the site of an abbey. It was not
completed
until over 300 years later in 1520. The coins were struck at all five
German mints (A=Berlin, D=Munich, F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg).
The mintmark is at the left of the cathedral.
Germany
continued their annual series of 2 Euro coins honoring each of its
states with this 2022 issue for Thuringia, which is located in central
Germany. The coin depicts the famous Wartburg Castle
overlooking the city of Eisenach. The castle is a UNESCO
heritage site. Parts of it date back to the 12th
century. It was the home of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and
where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German following
his excommunication by the Pope. The mintmark appears to the
right of the castle. The "D" below the castle is for
Deutschland.
Germany
celebrated the 1275th anniversary of the birth of Charlemagne with this
circulating 2023 2 Euro coin. Charlemagne is known as Karl the Great in
Germany. He unified central and western Europe for the first
time since the fall of the Roman Empire centuries earlier. He
was crowned King of the Franks, King of the Lombards and Emperor of the
Romans, and started what became known as the Holy Roman
Empire. He ruled from his capital in Aachen,
Germany. The coin depicts Charlemagne's monogram over the
octagon of Aachen Cathedral. At the lower right is the "D"
for Deutschland followed by the mintmark A=Berlin, D=Munich,
F=Stuttgart, G=Karlsruhe, J=Hamburg). At the bottom are the
dates of his birth and death: "748-814". 
