Exactly. The concentration camps - and especially the places that were built as "death factories" - were certainly not what the Nazi regime wanted to convey about the Third Reich. (Terezín, or the Theresienstadt camp, was a little different as it was misused as a "presentable model" for some time.) Coins, however, are issued by a country's government. Positively put, they are advertising; negatively put, they are propaganda. And if somebody is so fascinated by nazi propaganda, or nazi uniforms, badges, etc. ... well, I do wonder why. And sorry, Angelo, if my comment came across as a personal attack; that was not my intention. It was meant in a more general sense, and simply "hit" this topic. It's just that I heard so many times that "coins teach about history" - no, they do not. What they can do is make people interested - about geography, about people depicted, about events honored, and more. Combine that with the fact that many coins went through many hands before ending up in our collections, and you know what I find fascinating about coins. Christian
I have a similar Third Reich coin and a set of Hitler stamps (I don't remember where I picked those up). I agree that seeking out and buying such items carries a little bit of guilty sensationalism with it... but they are fascinating for all of the reasons listed in this thread so far. And ditto on the history aspect of coin collecting... thanks to a sudden and devastating interest in hammered coins I can now name most of the English/UK monarchs from Edward the Confessor to Elizabeth II along with significant events along the way... a few years ago I didn't know Henry VIII from Edward VI... same with Mexico... I bought coins depicting Hidalgo, Morales, Juarez and others... which made me want to know who those people were... so I found out... I've learned and been inspired more from coins than from any educational institution I've attended...
After seeing this post - I knew I had something similar kicking around - but it took me a while to figure out where they might be. I know nothing of the coins except that they're 5 Mark coins - 1936 and 1938. The last thing I'm posting is a token of some sort. I've tried to find information on whether it could be real or is definitely a copy. My feeling is it's a copy based on the details from the one webpage I could find with information. However, I'd like to know the weight so I can put it to bed. The reverse has a die crack which I thought maybe could be a marker to help figure it out - but I've never seen anything. Like others have already stated - it's not something I've persued
I have some of these third reich coins. i like the designs on them. the history. there are just coins. I myself prefer the older Germany coins and the more modern ones. give me 5 mark screaming eagles lol. never be afraid to post your coins here. it's all about getting more educated about them too.
Its not a copy of 5 RM that existed, its just a token that has nothing to do with the Nazi regime of 3rd Reich. It is produced for the swastika/Hitler fans more likely.
Those copies are often seen in tourist destinations in the Mediteranians, everywhere where german tourists like to spend their holyday. There where in fact plans for a 5 mark with the effigy of Adolphus Hitlerius ,and two years ago a copper pattern modell was sold on a german floor auction ( I will look up wich auction ). The nazi authorities decided though to hold back on those plans untill after the war. Personally I do not think nazi coins are much pretty, but they belong into a collection of german coins as a document for the time they where made. Numismatically it is not uninteresting to lokk at the links between 3. reich - coins and the german postwar coinage. - the design of thestandard coinage of west Germany ( 1,2,5, and 10 pfennig ) looked quit simular to the swastika - coins. The 5 - mark had the same diameter. - the east german 50 pfennig had the same diameter as the aluminium 50 - pfennig.
I have to admit, I really do not like coins from the Nazi era. I do like the 1920s and 1930s silver commemoratives though. I am getting more and more knowledgeable on them and hope to start diving in and buying more than the Zeppelins I already have. The post-war Reichspfennig coins that were issued in the occupation zones are pretty interesting, and scarce and I am thinking of diving into those too.
Don't know about that auction, but the 1941 design competition was won by Hermann Müller-Erfurt. Plaster models were made back then, and the photos of those models have survived in the Federal Archives so to say. As mentioned before, no such coin was ever issued. Much to the chagrin of some members here, I suppose. Christian
i have 1 nazi coins its a 50 peff i want some silver ones i love the the way the 1950s 5 marks look with the huge bird i have a 51 and a 58 one is a g one is a j
Thank you for adding the pics, that is actually the pattern depicted in the Schaaf - catalogue of german pattern coins. According to Schaaf this one consists of silver -plated copper and was actually presented to the Führer. What I had in mind was this pattern sold at 4600 Euro at the 59. WAG - auction in 2012 : http://www.grafficserver.de/wag/downloads/59-60/0550-0656.pdf
Ah yes, the Schaaf I have too! (Such books about design contests, or patterns that did not make it, I always find interesting - I also have one about those of the Federal Republic.) "My" photo of that 5 RM design is from a different book (see PM) but it is obviously the same design. Not exactly surprising that Hitler thought his name would not be necessary on such a "post-victory" coin ... Christian
these are interesting looking. can you tell me any history about these coins ? thanks, Craig. I have some German coins with swastikas on them. I like them but do realize that some collectors will frown upon me having them. after reading about the death camps and all....it just makes me feel weird having them. I do however realize they are just coins. I have some 5 mark screaming eagles that I am very fond of. funny how some coins from a different time period can really make you stop and think of the history behind them. Christian, you really made me think hard about that. thank you for that. most of the time personally I really like the asthetics of a coin and states of preservation of a coin. I think my viewing of coins just got a lot broader.
this coins were issued for military purposes ( specifically for occupied lands ) with denominations 5&10 Pfg observe with Swastika , reverse Eagle. made of zinc , most of them drawn from circulation in 1942 , destroyed after war , corroded etc , so very not easy to find in decent condition,
thanks for posting that. I have never seen a double slab from PCGS before. cool. your coins are in increbible MS shape. may I ask how much you paid for them ? if that is to personal I will understand. what is the popular report on your 2 coins ?
are you selling these coins on Ebay right now ? for $9,999.99 Ebay item number#131010779599 the slab UPC numbers match the numbers on Ebay. I am not trying to discredit you at all. I just wanted to know if these are your coins ??
yes thats my coins , i bought these coins from dealers in Germany , sometimes i buy from WWII Veterans (Waffen - SS , Luftwaffe Officers ) old collectors etc . since im a member with PCGS ,NGC , ANA i can send them to get graded , i just post these to see what people think , not trying to sell them fast or something , rather keep them , that is my major hobby beside i study counterfeit coins & currency , thanks for your interest & never stop educate yourself !