2 Nazi Germany Coin Firsts Do you know what coin was the first one minted by the New Nazi Germany government? This nickel 1 Reichsmark was the first new coin introduced by the Nazi government after they assumed power in 1933. One side bears an Imperial eagle, while the other has the date and denomination. The 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 nickel was needed for the war effort. Before we see the coin, do you know whatReichsmark means in English? Reichsmark is a combination of two words Reich and Mark. The Mark is a unit of currency in coin form struck in silver (various amounts) and is divisiable by Pfennig (100 = 1 Mark) Reich is a German word cognate with the English word rich, but also used to designate an empire, realm, or nation. The qualitative connotation from the German is (imperial) sovereign state. So Reichsmark is understood as Coin of the Realm or Coin of the Nation or Coin of the Empire. You can assume that the decimal coin of a Reichsmark is a Reichspfennig (100 = 1 Reichsmark). The following coin photos are courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: NAZI GERMANY 1933 -1939 COPPER-NICKEL 1 REICHSMARK Would you like to see the first commemorative coin issued by the Nazi Germany government? Nazi Germany celebrated the first anniversary of Nazi rule with commemorative 2 and 5 Reichsmark coins dated 1934. The reverse portrays the Potsdam Garrison Church and the date 21 March, 1933, the date that Hitler was sworn into office at the Church. The obverse depicts the German Eagle and two small swastikas. The 27mm 2 Reichsmark coin was struck in .6250 fine silver and contains .1607 oz. of silver. The 29mm 5 Reichsmark coin was struck in .900 fine silver and contains .4016 oz. of silver: NAZI GERMANY 1934 SILVER 5 REICHSMARK - 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI GOVERNMENT Here's the silver 2 Reichsmark: NAZI GERMANY 1934 SILVER 2 REICHSMARK - 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI GOVERNMENT Here are some photos of Reichspfennig multiples: THIRD REICH 1936 BRONZE 1 PFENNIG THIRD REICH 1936-1940 BRONZE 2 PFENNIG THIRD REICH 1936-1939 ALUMINUM-BRONZE 5 PFENNIG THIRD REICH 1939 ALUMINUM-BRONZE 10 REICHSPFENNIG THIRD REICH 1935 ALUMINUM 50 REICHSPFENNIG Hope you enjoyed this post. Clinker
I almost bought a silver 2 Reichsmark at a antique fair from a coin seller, it was $6 but I opted for more silver canadian dimes at a $1 each over the 2 Reichsmark. Like most, the history of it bothers me owning one even though I have a WW2 dagger with the nazi symbol.
Hi mat: Owning a coin or other relic from a nation as notorius as Nazi Germany doesn't mean you approve of that nation's Head of State or its idealogoy. The coin or other item is a part of the world's history. Clinker
Oh I know that. I havent gotten rid of the sword, lol. But it boiled down to the designs and such & canadian coinage I like...except the current stuff.
I fully agree. I actually enjoy collecting coins from Nazi Germany because it's a period of history that interests me. I in absolutely no way approve of anything they did, but I find that era fascinating. Their ideology can clearly be seen in the symbolism on their coins. I have had a number of people say bad things to me for collecting their coins...but I believe that if we destroy these relics perhaps some of the memories will fade as well. When we don't remember and ignore the mistakes made in the past, we are doomed to repeat them.
One can observe the deterioration of 1933-1945 coins from silver to zinc as things went bad. Political note: I refuse to collect coins from Mongolia until they apologize for the war crimes committed by Ghengiz Khan.
The very first commemorative coin issued by Nazi Germany was actually a different one. This piece: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/nmc3/73-80.jpg It did not honor anything nazi related though but the 450th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth. The 1 Reichsmark coin I find interesting because of the motto. "Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz" does not sound particularly bad by itself - in fact, it is similar to mottos such as "Public need before private greed", "Service before self", or even "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". But used by the nazis it practically had the meaning of "we decide what is good for Germany, and that is what counts" ... As for the date on the coins with the Potsdam Garrison Church, that refers to the first Reichstag session under the nazi government. Hitler was appointed chancellor by Hindenburg before, on 30 Jan 1933. Christian
Sounds good to me too. But I think most of us can very well learn about and from history without personally possessing such artefacts ourselves. Even if the only period and place in world history one is interested in is Nazi Germany and 1933 to 1945, there is much more (and better) material to learn from. Christian
I agree completely. A lot of people don't need to have a tangible piece of appreciate the history. But for me, since I love coin collecting...it made sense for me to collect Nazi Germany coins. I also have a great interest in the USSR and their bloc nations. I am in the process of starting a type collection for USSR/bloc coins too. There is another regime that in a lot of ways was just as bad as the Nazi's but people make less of an issue with collecting their pieces. I have been told a number of times by people here (and you are not one of them) that collecting coins from Germany between 1933-1948 is bad and I just don't agree.
Guess that my collecting focus is just a different one. As far as the German Empire is concerned, I have (some) pieces from all its periods - the monarchy, the republic, the nazi regime and the allied occupation. Yes, I do find it strange that people collect nazi coins only, and I think it would be odd to say that without them we might forget about those years. But it would be equally strange to expect or even demand that people should not have (or even destroy) such coins ... Christian
Just like to add that my coins are part of a larger collection that includes coins from all periods as well as stamps/banknotes and notgeld
