COINS & CURRENCY OF WORLD WAR II

A selection of money used during 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 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, and the aluminum 50 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 in the Nazi 8 coin set listed above).

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NAZI GERMAN CURRENCY

The 1935 100 Reichsmark features a large swastika underprint at the center. To the right is Justus von Liebig, a 19th century German chemist who is "Father of the Fertilizer Industry" for his discovery of nitrogen as an essential plant nutrient.  The back depicts allegorical figures. The note was the highest denomination in general circulation.  It was about half a month's pay for a skilled laborer.


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.
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.

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NAZI GERMAN 5 REICHMARK NOTE FEATURES HITLER YOUTH  

Nazi Germany introduced this 5 Reichmark note in 1942 to replace the silver 5 Reichsmark coins which were disappearing from circulation due to hoarding.  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".

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NAZI GERMAN BONDS

These bonds were issued by Nazi Germany between 1935 and 1942.  The bonds had a lottery aspect, with a portion of the bonds being drawn each year for repayment.   The 1935 and 1936 bonds were issued by the Reich Debt Administration and carry a nominal interest rate of 4 1/2%.  The 1935 issue bear, the Reich’s eagle from the Weimar Republic, the 1936 have the Nazi Eagle & Swastika emblem.  The 1942 bonds were issued by the state of Thuringia with a nominal interest rate of 3 1/2%.  They have the embossed Nazi eagle & swastika emblem.   The bonds measure approximately 8.5" x 11.75" (21cm x 29.5cm) and have been canceled by a single hole punch.  The bonds have a remarkable history.  Having been stored in the impenetrable safe of the Reichsbank in Berlin, they survived the Second World War unscathed by bombings. Even during the years of the German Democratic Republic they went largely untouched.  In 2015 the German Ministry of Finance had the bonds sold at auction, with the proceeds going to the Nazi Crimes Compensation Fund.  They are remarkable and historic items of Nazi German economic history.

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FASCIST ITALY SILVER COIN OF VICTOR EMMANUEL III 

This silver 5 Lire of Fascist Italy dates from 1927 to 1930.  King Victor Emmanuel III (Vittorio Emanuele III) is on the obverse.  An eagle and fasces, the emblem of Fascist Italy is on the reverse.  By 1927 Mussolini had turned Italy into a dictatorship and the king was largely a figure head. The 23mm coin weighs 5 grams and contains .1342 troy ounces of silver.  It is an  historic silver coin of Fascist Italy.


Also see:

BEAUTIFULWORLD WAR I  ITALIAN SILVER 2 LIRE OF VICTOR EMMANUEL III

FASCIST ITALY SILVER COIN OF VICTOR EMMANUEL III: 5 Lire 1927-30 KM67

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LASTCOIN OF THE KINGDOM OF YUGOSLAVIA

This 1938 10 Dinara is one of the last coins of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.  The obverse of the 23mm nickel coin depicts the head of young King Peter II.  The reverse has the royal crown, denomination and date within a wreath.  Peter became king in 1934 at age 11 upon the assassination of his father, King Alexander I.  Though he was opposed to Nazi Germany, his regent signed a pact that allied Yugoslavia with the Nazis in 1941.  Two days later a British supported coup overthrew the regency and proclaimed the 17 year old Peter to be of age and in control of Yugoslavia.  Hitler responded by attacking and quickly conquering Yugoslavia.  Peter escaped by climbing down a drainpipe.  He never returned to his homeland. He made his way to London, then after the war lived in the United States, eventually working in a Los Angeles Savings and Loan before he died in Denver in 1970.  

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WORLD WAR II COIN OF FRENCH INDO-CHINA  

Hanoi, the capital of French Indo-China  (now Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) fell to the Japanese on December 7, 1941, the same day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.  The Japanese withdraw and melted the Annamese copper and brass cash coins in circulation in order to use their metal in the war effort. The cash coins were valued 1/5 to 1/6 of a cent and were widely used for small transactions. To replace them the Osaka mint in Japan struck a zinc 1/4 cent coin for French Indo-China in 1942. The coins bore the Vichy Government legend of "Etat Francais". We are pleased to offer you this historic World War II coin of French Indo-China.  

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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 León, chains for Navarre and a bundle of arrows for the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabella) who united the country. 

ALSO SEE:

UNCIRCULATED SPANISH CIVIL WAR COIN: 50 CENTIMOS 1937 KM754. UNC.

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WORLD WAR II COINS OF THE VATICAN

During World War II the Vatican was in a difficult position, torn between its Christian duties and the need to cooperate with Fascist Italy which granted the Vatican its independence in 1929.  We are pleased to offer the following coins of the Vatican struck during these difficult war years.  The 1941 50 Centesimi depicts Archangel Michael drawing his sword.  The 1941 1 Lira depicts the Virgin Mary standing on the globe and a crescent moon.  The 1942 2 Lire features Justice seated holding a scale and the tablet of law.  The obverses of all three coins have the Papal Arms of Pius XII which feature a dove holding an olive branch.  The coins are struck in stainless steel.

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BU WORLD WAR II BRITISH FARTHING

This Brilliant Uncirculated British Farthing is dated 1939, the year Great Britain declared war on Germany. The 20mm bronze coin depicts King George VI on the obverse.  The reverse features a wren, the smallest bird in Britain, which was appropriate as the farthing was the lowest denomination of Britain, worth just a quarter of a penny.

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE COIN SET

This set includes the eight regular issue coins minted by Japan during World War II.  The aluminum 1 Sen depicting Mount Fuji was minted from 1941 to 1943. Mount Fuji is a symbol of the country and is considered sacred by many Japanese.  The aluminum 5 Sen minted from 1940 to 1943 depicts a golden kite bird on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum Seal and clouds on the other.  The golden kite was a symbol of Japanese military prowess.  The aluminum 10 Sen minted from 1940 to 1943 features a double petal cherry blossom on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal on the other.   In 1944 new 1, 5 and 10 Sen coins were struck in a tin-zinc alloy in order to conserve the aluminum for the war effort.   The 5 and 10 Sen both had a center hole. Above the hole is the Chrysanthemum Seal representing the Emperor.  Beneath is the Paulownia Crest within clouds representing the civil government of Japan. They were struck only a single year.  The 1 Sen depicts the Chrysanthemum Seal and was minted in both 1944 and 1945.   New 5 and 10 Sen coins were minted in 1945 after Japan surrendered.  The new coins included the denomination in western numerals for the first time on Japanese coins.  The tin-zinc 5 Sen features a dove.  The 10 Sen features a cherry blossom on one side and rice stalks on the other. Both coins include the Chrysanthemum Seal.  The coins were minted only two years, 1945 and 1946.  It is an historic set of Japanese coins.

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SCARCE WWII CLAY COIN FROM JAPAN

By the end of World War II Japan suffered from a severe shortage of metal needed to make coins.  Emergency coins were made out of clay, however the coins circulated for only for only a few days in cental Japan before the Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945. This scarce clay 1 Sen coin circulated for only a few days at the end of World War II in central Japan.  The unusual, undated 1 Sen coin features Mt. Fuji on one side and sakura blossems on the other.  The 15mm coin is made from red or brown clay.  It is quite scarce and unknown to many collectors.

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1938 CHINESE WAR BONDS DEPICTS AIR AND SEA BATTLES

These 1938 Chinese War bonds include two wonderful vignettes.  One showing an aerial dogfight, the other depicting costal gun emplacements blasting ships offshore.  The bonds were issued by Kwangtung Province of China in March 1938 to raise funds in a desperate attempt to stop the Japanese invasion of China.  By the time the bonds were issued, Japan had already begun an naval and aerial blockade of Canton (now Guangzhou), the capital of Kwangtung Province (now Guangzhou).  Beijing, Shanghai and the national capital of Nanjing had already fallen to the Japanese.  The bonds were issued in low denominations in order to allow most Chinese to purchase them.  The defense of Canton failed and the city fell to the Japanese in December 1938. The bonds are labeled in Chinese "27th year Kwangtung Province National Defense Public Bond" and paid a 4% interest.  Only the first three coupons on each bond have been clipped.  The bonds measure approximately 10.5"x12.5" (26x31.5cm)      The 5 Dollar bonds are blue, the 10 Dollar bonds are brown.  It is an important item issued during the Japanese invasion of China.

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY USED IN CHINA  

Japan  issued Military Currency starting in 1938 for use in the areas of China that they occupied. Because civilians were forced to accept the Military Yen, which was not backed and could not be exchanged into Japanese Yen, it cost the Japanese government virtually nothing to purchase whatever they wanted. The initial issues of Military currency were created by taking partially completed Japanese homeland notes and overprinting them on the front and back with four large red characters that read "Military Note". 

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MENG CHIANG JAPANESE PUPPET BANK   

During the 1930's Japan conquered much of Northern China.  The Meng Chiang Bank was a puppet bank established by the Japanese to provide currency for the area between Mongolia and Manchukuo, known as Inner Mongolia.  In 1938 the Bank issued its only coin: a copper-nickel 5 Chiao. One side of the coin features a pair of stylized dragons and the denomination.   The other side has a floral design.

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UNUSUAL FIBER COINS 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 these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are 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 1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945.  The 5 Fen was struck in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relatively soft, the coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.  

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WORLD WAR II NOTES OF THE BANK OF CHINA

In 1937 Japan invaded China,  forcing the Chinese government and The Bank of China to retreat to the remote city of Chungking (now Chongqing). From there the Bank of China issued this  red 10 Yuan note.  Sun Yat Sen is on the front and the Temple of Heaven is on the back of all the notes.  The notes were printed by the American Bank Note Company in New York. The notes were among the last released by the Bank of China for the Republic of China, which ceased to issue notes for China in 1942.

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JAPANESE INVASION MONEY FOR BURMA

Prior to World War II, Burma (now Myanmar) was under British rule. Japanese forces attacked Burma on December 14, 1941.  Within five months the British forces were defeated or retreated to India and Burma came under Japanese control. Japan issued these banknotes for their occupation of Burma.. Like the previous British issues, the notes are in English and denominated in Rupees. The undated notes were issued from 1942 to 1944.  The fronts of the notes all bear the legend "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" and depict the Ananada Temple in Pagan (Bagan).  The backs have the denomination and a geometric design.  This five-note set includes the 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees. The notes are Uncirculated, though may have been slightly mishandled in storage.

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JAPANESE INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES?

When these notes issued by Japan started showing up during World War II, many people took it as proof that Japan was about to conquer the United States and had already printed new currency for the United States. After all, the notes were clearly denominated in Dollar or Cents and had the words "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" in large letters.  The story was repeated so many times that many believed it must be true.  Though the Japanese government did print the notes, however they were for use in Malay, which Japan conquered by early 1942, and not the United States.   Like the United States, Malaya used dollars and cents.  The Uncirculated 10 Dollar notes pictures features bananas, breadfruit and coconuts on the front and palm trees and a ship steaming in the horizon on the back.   These 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 PHILIPPINE GUERRILLA NOTES

To finance their activities fighting the Japanese during World War II various guerrilla bands in the Philippines issued their own currency. The guerillas would set up currency boards which would issue notes. Anyone caught using the Japanese invasion money was severely punished. Generally, each province would have its own currency board.  The names of three members of the currency board would appear on each note, which was a very brave and brazen act of defiance against the Japanese invaders. The notes tend to be crude, as they were printed under rather unfavorable conditions with limited resources.  We are pleased to offer a set of 24 different World War II Philippine Guerilla notes.  The notes grade Very Good to Very Fine.  These notes are a historic vestige of the brave Filipinos who fought against the Japanese in World War II.

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WORLD WAR II COIN OF FREE FRENCH MADAGASCAR

In 1943 Madagascar issued its first coins, including this bronze 50 Centimes.  After Germany invaded France in World War II, the French colony of Madagascar declared its allegiance to Free France rather than submit to German rule.  It arranged to have coins struck at the South African mint. The coin includes a number of patriotic French symbols in order to emphasize their independence from the Germans.  The obverse features a rooster, the national symbol of France, a shield with the letters “RF” for “Republique Francaise”, and the name of the colony.  The reverse shows a Patriarchal Cross and the French mottos “Liberte Egalite, Fraternite” and “Honneur, Patrie”.   The coin is technically Uncirculated, but has spots and stains from improper storage in the tropics.

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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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ALLIED LEADERS OF WORLD WAR II

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 large 38.1mm copper-nickel clad United States Dollar coin issued in 1976 to commemorae teh bi-centennial of theUnited States and the smaller 26.5mm 2015 United States Presidential “Golden Dollar”.  The 1976 large dollar commemorates the bi-centennial of the United States.  Below Eisenhower is the double dates 1776-1976.  The reverse depicts the Liberty Bell and the Moon. The Eisenhower Presidential dollar features the Statue of Liberty on the reverse.  The date, mintmark and legends are on the edge of the coin.  The Eisenhower Presidential Dollar was not released into circulation but was only available from the mint at a premium.  Despite the coins coming directly from the original mint bags, most coins have nicks or bagmarks.   The large coins are some of the least expensive crown-sized coins available, and honor two great leaders of World War II.

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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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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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For a great selection of aviation art,  including World War II and autographed art, please visit:  Virginia Bader Fine Arts (vbader.com)

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