COINS & CURRENCY OF WORLD WAR II

A selection of money associated with World War 2

NAZI GERMANY SILVER COINS

These four silver coins serve as a memento of the horrors of the Third Reich. The 2 Reichsmark was issued from 1936 to 1939. It pictures Paul von Hindenburg on one side and an eagle holding a wreathed swastika on the other. It is 25mm in diameter and contains .1607 troy ounces of silver.  Nazi Germany used three different designs on their regular issue 5 Reichsmark coins. The first pictured the Potsdam Military Church, also called the Potsdam Garrison Church, on one side and an eagle and two small swastikas on the other. It was struck only from 1934 to 1935. The Church was built by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I between 1730 and 1735. Adolf Hitler was sworn in a Chancellor of Germany by Paul von Hindenburg at the Church in 1933. It burned down in the fires caused by the Allied bombing in 1945. The second type was struck during only during the last part of 1935 and the first part of 1936. It pictured Paul von Hindenburg on one side and an eagle on the other. Starting in 1936 the Eagle reverse was replaced with an eagle holding a wreathed swastika, similar to the 2 Reichsmark. The Eagle and Swastika 5 Reichsmark was struck from 1936 to 1939. The silver 5 Reichsmark coins are each 29mm in diameter and contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. Because of the war, no Nazi silver coins were struck after 1939. Coins grade Very Fine.

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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.

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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)

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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, but could not be redeemed for gold.

NAZI GERMAN 20 REICHSMARK NOTE FEATURES AUSTRIAN MAIDEN

NAZI GERMAN 1 & 2 RENTENMARK NOTES  

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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.

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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.

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COIN OF THE NAZI PUPPET STATE OF BOHEMIA & MORAVIA

Nazi Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938, splitting the country in three.  In one portion they created a puppet state called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.  Coins were minted only from 1941 to 1944. The coins all feature the Bohemian Lion on the obverse.  The 1 Korun has the denomination and linden branches on the reverse.  The 20 Haleru has wheat ears, a sickle and the denomination on the reverse.  The coins were minted in the Lysa nad Labem Metal Furniture Factory. The coins are zinc, so may have some white spots.  It is an historic set from a nation that existed briefly during World War II.

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FIRST BANKNOTE OF NAZI OCCUPIED SERBIA 

The first banknotes issued by the Germans after invading Serbia were made by overprinting Yugoslavian banknotes they found in the vaults of the central bank. Perhaps it is telling that the Nazi's would put their ugly brown overprint on what was then one of the world's prettiest banknotes. This 100 Dinar note dated May 1, 1941, less than a month after the Nazi invasion began. It is overprinted on the 1929 Yugoslavia 100 Dinar banknotes. The front depicts young woman holding a sword. The back features a young man with a large garland of fruit.

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ATTRACTIVE BANKNOTE OF NAZI GERMAN OCCUPIED SERBIA 

On April 6, 1941 Axis Forces under Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia.  They promptly conquered and divided the nation along ethnic lines.  Serbia was placed under the control of the German military.   Serbia issued some beautiful, multi-color banknotes while under Nazi German control. The notes were printed by the Serbian Institute for Manufacturing Banknotes and Coins in Belgrade. The 500 Dinar dated November 11, 1941 depicts a woman with gold coin jewelry on the front and a bricklayer on the back.  They are impressive, large size, colorful notes from a time when Serbia was under Nazi German occupation.

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LAST BANKNOTE OF NAZI OCCUPIED SERBIA

The 100 Dinar note dated January 1, 1943 was the last note issued by Nazi German occupied Serbia before it was liberated in 1944. The front depicts Saint Sava. Sava, known as the Enlightener, was a 13th century Serbian prince and monk who is considered one of the most important figures in Serbian history. The back depicts a cornucopia spilling out fruit and a farmer with a pair of oxen. The note has a watermark of a woman's head. It measures 165 x 84mm.

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WORLD WAR II COINS OF VICHY FRANCE 

Vichy France was the collaborationist government set up by the Germans after France was defeated by Germany in World War II. Its administrative capital was in the town of Vichy. Though it nominally ruled France, in reality it only controlled the south-eastern portion of the country, while Germany controlled the rest. This three coin set includes the 50 Centimes, 1 and 2 Francs of Vichy France, also known as “Etat Francais” or French State. The three aluminum coins were struck in Nazi occupied Paris. They circulated in both the German occupied and Vichy controlled portions of France. One side of the coin features a double-headed axe flanked by grain. The other side has the denomination flanked by oak leaves and the legend “TRAVAIL, FAMILLE, PATRIE” (“work, family, fatherland”). The legend replaced the traditional motto of the French Republic “liberty, equality, fraternity”. The coins date from 1942 to 1944.

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WORLD WAR II COIN OF SPAIN

Though Francisco Franco and the Spanish Nationalists received heavy assistance from Hitler during the Spanish Civil War and the two were ideologically similar, Spain never officially joined the Axis powers in World War II. Spain provided volunteers to fight against Russia, but insisted they not be used on the western front. Negotiations between Hitler and Franco concerning Spain formally entering the war did not go well, with Hitler reportedly saying "I prefer to have three or four of my own teeth pulled out than to speak to that man again!". This 1944 21mm aluminum-bronze Spanish 1 Peseta depicts coat of arms of Spain on the obverse. The reverse features the historical symbols of Spain around the denomination: a pomegranate for Granada, four pallets for Aragon, a castle of Castile, a lion for Leon, chains for Navarre and a bundle of arrows for the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabella) who united the country.

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ANCIENT GREEK COIN ON UNCIRCULATED OLD GREEK BANKNOTE

This 10 Drachmai note of the Kingdom of Greece is dated April 6, 1940, exactly one year before Nazi German troops invaded Greece and Yugoslavia.  The front of the features an ancient Greek coin depicting Demeter, the goddess of harvest and grains. The note replaced the 1930 silver 10 Drachmai coin that depicted the same design. The back depicts the main building of the Academy of Athens, Greece’s top university. The neoclassical building was started in 1859 but not competed until 1887.  For many years it housed the national numismatic collection before being turned over the newly formed Academy of Athens in 1926.  The note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient in Germany and is 83mm x 53mm.

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FIRST POST-WORLD WAR II COIN OF LUXEMBOURG

Before World War II Luxembourg was a neutral nation.  In 1939 Adolf Hitler promised to respect Luxembourg's sovereignty, however on May 9, 1940 Germany invaded.  The Luxembourg army of 425 soldiers and 13 officers were no match against the powerful German Wehrmacht and the country fell within hours. A forceful campaign of Germanization was begun and in 1942 Luxembourg was officially made part of Germany.  This 1946 1 Franc was one of the first coins issued by Luxembourg after Germany's defeat in 1945.  The design of the 23mm copper-nickel coin is similar to that of the pre-war 1 Franc.  The obverse features a bare-chested steelworker poking at flames (occupational safety regulations were much looser then), in the background smoke rises from smokestacks (pollution laws were also much looser).  The reverse features the crowned monogram of Grand Duchess Charlotte.

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UNUSUAL FIBER COIN FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA

Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China prior to World War II.  Due to a severe metal shortage towards the end of the war, it issued this unusual 5 Fen coins struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coin is dated in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of Manchukuo.   Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo.  The 5 Fen was struck in 1944 and 1945. Because the material was so soft, it wore quickly in circulation, resulting in the coins being heavily worn,.  This historic World War II coin is one of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.

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JAPANESE INVASION MONEY

As Japanese forces  conquered Burma, Malaya and the Philippines in World War II they introduced their own currency.  Anyone found with any other type of currency was subject to severe punishment.  As English was the official language of these three colonies, the notes were printed in English and were denominated in the currency that had been in circulation.  The notes were only labeled “THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT” without mentioning the colony.  The red 10 Rupee note for Burma depict the Ananda Temple in Bagan.  The dark blue and yellow 10 Dollar note for Malaya includes bananas, breadfruit and coconuts on the front and a ship steaming in the horizon on the back.   The black and light blue Philippine 10 Pesos note depicts a banana plantation.

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JAPANESE INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES?

When these 10 Dollar notes issued by The Japanese Government started showing up shortly after World War II, many people took it as proof that Japan planned to invade the United States, and had their new currency for the United States already printed.  The story was repeated so many times that many believed it must be true.  Though the Japanese government did print the notes, they were for use in Malaya, which Japan conquered by early 1942, not the United States.   Like the United States, Malaya called their currency the Dollar.  However, the design is much more suited to Malaya than the United States.  The front features bananas, breadfruit and coconuts. The back pictures palm trees and a ship steaming on the horizon. Each note has two sets of block letters, starting with the letter “M”, which stood for Malaya.  As an anti-counterfeiting measure tiny colored silk threads were embedded into the paper.  These unissued, Crisp Uncirculated 10 Dollar notes were abandoned by the Japanese forces in Malaya after Japan’s surrender in 1945.  They sat in storage for many years since then.   Today they are historic collector’s items recalling Japan’s unsuccessful attempt to extend her empire across Asia in World War II.

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WORLD WAR II SILVER RUPEES OF INDIA

India was critical to the Allied effort in World War II.  It contributed over 2.5 million troops and provided substantial resources to the war effort.  These World War II era Indian 1 Rupees are 30.5mm, struck in .500 fine silver and contain 1874 troy ounces of silver.  King and Emperor George VI is on the obverse.  The reverse includes the denomination in English and Urdu.  Around them is a wreath made of roses, thistle, shamrock leaves and lotus flowers, representing England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and India.  The 1944 coins have a slightly different design then the 1940 and 1941 coins  The 1944 issue has larger decorations around the rim than the 1940 and 1941  issue. The coins struck at the Bombay mint have a small dot at the bottom of the reverse.  The coins struck at the Lahore mint have a small "L" at the bottom of the reverse.

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WORLD WAR II COIN OF CURACAO

After Nazi Germany conquered the Netherlands in 1940, the Dutch possessions in the Americas became American protectorates under the Dutch government.   They were needed for the Allied war effort.  Curacao (which included Aruba) was a major refiner of oil, supplying some 60% of the oil used by the Allies.   Suriname (Dutch Guiana) was an important source of bauxite.  The United States mints made coins for the colonies during World War II.  The initial series of coins utilized the same designs as the pre-war Dutch coins.  The 1942 bronze 1 cent has a palm tree privy mark and the Philadelphia mint P mintmark.  

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WWII CANADA TOMBAC 1942 BEAVER AND 1943 VICTORY 5 CENTS

During 1942, because nickel was needed for the war effort, Canada replaced the nickel 5 cent coin with one made of a brass alloy called Tombac. The new coins were 12-sided, making them even more distinctive. The new coins kept the beaver reverse and King George VI that was on the previous coins. The coins were struck only a single year. On January 1, 1943 Canada released a new design for their 5-cent coin to promote the war effort of World War II. The reverse featured a large "V" behind a burning torch. The V both stood for Victory and the denomination in Roman numerals). Even though the coin is not made of nickel, it is often referred to as Canada's V Nickel. Around the edge is the inscription in Morse code which reads "WE WIN WHEN WE WORK WILLINGLY". Like the 1942 issue, the coin is made of Tombac and depictes King George VI on the obverse. It too was struck only a single year. In 1944 the Tombac allow was replaced with chrome-plated steel.

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CANADA 2020 WORLD WAR II VICTORY 2 DOLLAR COIN

Canada commemorated the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with this multi-color 2020 2 Dollar coin.  The coins have similar reverse designs which were adapted from Canada's World War II era Victory 5 cent coins.  The designs feature a torch and a large "V" in the center. On the outer ring is the inscription "WE WIN WHEN WE WORK WILLINGLY" in Morse code and the words Victory and Remember are in English and French.  At the top are two shifting images of a maple leaf within the line pattern.  The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

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WORLD WAR II CANADIAN MEAT RATION TOKEN

Meat was rationed in Canada during World War II. Families received a ration booklet which allowed them to purchase a limited quantity of rationed goods, including tea, coffee, sugar, butter, booze and meat each week. Each weekly meat ration coupon was good for 2 pounds of meat. The problem was that many did not have refrigeration at home, so they would either forfeit the whole coupon for a lesser amount of meat, or buy their full amount and risk it going bad before it could be used. In 1945 the Canadian government finally wised up and issued meat ration tokens that were good for a lesser quantity of meat. Each token was worth 1/8 of a meat ration coupon (1/4 pound of meat), so if someone bought less than their full ration of meat the tokens could be given out to be used later. If one bought half their weekly ration of meat, they would receive four tokens for later use. The 22mm blue token is struck on a heavy blue cardboard with a center hole. Both sides have the same design with the words "CANADA - RATION MEAT - VIANDE" and two maple leaves.

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UNCIRCULATED WORLD WAR II COINS OF MEXICO

World War II was a time of prosperity for Mexico. Its minerals were much in demand for the war effort. Many Mexicans went to the north to work in agriculture to cover for the shortage farm labor in the United States. These Uncirculated 5 Centavos bronze 5 Centavos are dated 1944 and 1945, during the height of Mexico’s prosperity. The 25.5mm bronze coins depict Josefa Ortiz De Dominguez, one of the hero’s of Mexico’s War of Independence. Behind her head is the Mexico City mintmark. The other side features Mexico’s national emblem of an eagle on a cactus eating a snake. It is an attractive coin that is quite reasonably priced considering it is over 70 years old and still in it’s original mint condition.

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GENERAL MacARTHUR MEMORIAL MEDAL

This attractive 38.9 mm medal commemorating General Douglas MacArthur was struck shortly after his death in 1964 by Capitol Medals. The obverse pictures the General. The reverse has two of his most famous quotes: "I shall Return" and "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away".   The oxidized silver-plated bronze medal comes in an envelope with a descriptive brochure.

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ALLIED LEADERS OF WORLD WAR II 

Winston Churchill served as Prime Minister of Great Britain during the World War II years of 1940 to 1945. His speeches and radio broadcasts helped inspire British confidence, especially during the difficult early years of the war when Britain stood almost alone against Nazi Germany. He was honored after his death in 1965 on the British 5 Shillings coin (1 Crown). It was the first British coin to portray a commoner since the 1650’s and it was the last 5 Shilling coin ever struck by Great Britain. The obverse of the 38.6mm copper-nickel coin has Mary Gillick’s portrait of young Queen Elizabeth. The reverse portrays a rough portrait of Churchill.

Dwight David Eisenhower was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He led the invasion of North Africa in 1942–43 and the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45. He served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961. He is portrayed on the 2015 United States Presidential “Golden Dollar”. The 2015  Eisenhower Presidential dollar features the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. The date, mintmark and legends are on the edge of the coin. The coin was not released into circulation but was only available from the mint as part of a set or in rolls or bags at a premium. Despite the coins coming directly from the original mint bags, most coins have nicks or bagmarks. 

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FRANCE HONORS CHARLES DE GAULLE

France honored Charles de Gaulle on their 2020 2 Euro coin.  The coin commemorates both the 50th anniversary of his death in 1970 and the 80th anniversary of his Appeal of 18 June, which was an appeal launched by de Gaulle on June 18, 1940 from the BBC studios in London that established the French Resistance against Nazi Germany.  The coin depicts images of him both as President of France in the 1960's and as a General in World War II. 

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TAIWAN CELEBRATES LIBERATION FROM JAPAN

After several unsuccessful attempts to gain control of Taiwan (Formosa), Japan took the island from China in 1895 as a result of China's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War.  Upon Japan's defeat in 1945 in World War II, China regained control of Taiwan.  In 1995 the Republic of China, (now commonly called Taiwan), commemorated the 50th Anniversary of its liberation from Japan.  The 26mm copper-nickel 10 Yuan coin features a map of Taiwan and the dates 1945 1995.

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PORTUGUESE TIMOR HONORS WORLD WAR II HERO

Portuguese Timor, now the independent nation of East Timor, honored their World War II hero Dom Aleixo Corte-Real on this 1967 20 Escudos note. A vignette and watermark of him wearing an impressive feather crown appears on the front of the note. He is the only native to be honored on a banknote of Portuguese Timor and one of the only World War II heroes to be honored on a banknote anywhere. Aleixo Corte-Real, also known as Dom Aleixo Timorese was born in 1886. In 1912 he became the Liurai (chief) of the region of Ainaro. He was a strong supporter of the Portuguese rule of Timor. The Japanese invaded Portuguese Timor in 1942, even though Portugal was a neutral country during the war. He led a major revolt against the Japanese until he was captured in 1943. He refused to denounce the Portuguese flag, for which he and his family were killed by the Japanese. The back of the note includes the Portuguese Imperial Arms and the seal of the Banco National Ultramarino which features a sailing ship. The note measures 135 x 75mm and has a solid security thread. Because Portuguese Timor was a small, isolated colony its notes are difficult to find. The note is Uncirculated, but has minor brown stains from storage in the tropics.

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WWII ARMY AND NAVY COMMEMORATIVES

The British Indian Ocean Territory issued these 39mm copper-nickel 2 Pound coins in 2019 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the start of World War II.   One honors the Army and features a British soldier with a Matilda, a Churchill and a Cromwell tank in the background.  The other honors the Royal Navy and features a sailor with a King George Class battleship, an Admiral Class battle cruiser and a Flower class corvette in the background.  Both coins feature Queen Elizabeth on the obverse and have a mintage of 10,000 each.

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SAIPAN HONORS WORLD WAR II BATTLE

Saipan is now part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In World War II it was the site of one of the bloodiest and most strategic battles in the Pacific. Saipan was Japanese territory and one of the last line of defenses before the homeland. An estimated 29,000 Japanese soldiers and 20,000 civilians died trying to defend the island. 3,426 Americans died and 10,364 were wounded. The loss of Saipan was a major blow to Japan. American B-29 bombers were now within striking range of mainland Japan and the Philippines. The obverse unofficial 2019 Saipan 5 Dollar coin depicts the emblem of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. The reverse features a Marine in front of a waving American flag and the dates of the Battle of Saipan. The 40mm eight-sided silver-plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 160 pieces.

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ALSO SEE:
GERMAN COINS & CURRENCY PAGE
NAZI COINS PAGE
JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY PAGE
RUSSIA WWII CITIES OF MILITARY GLORY COINS

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