The Problem with German Coins!

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Goldstone, Aug 8, 2009.

  1. zantetsuken

    zantetsuken Junior Member

    I understand what you mean. I'm from the U.S., and when I think about what our people (mainly the government) did during the early settlements to the the Native Americans, it also made me sick to my stomach. The only difference between what they did and what the Nazi's did to the Jews, was there was no concept of war crimes, and thus there were no war crimes trials (IMO). Sadly at that time, governments could basically get away with anything, even mass murder. I've always considered myself very tolerant of others regardless of race or religion, but when I think about things like this, I'm even more conscientious of how I treat people. As you said, the coins from the Nazi era are just a mark in history, not a political statement.

    ~Daniel
     
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  3. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"


    Very Nice!!
     
  4. zantetsuken

    zantetsuken Junior Member


    Thanks. I found some of the details on these very interesting. On the 50 Reichspfennig, the oak-wreaths on both sides was a nice touch, and on the military coins, I liked the way they rendered the eagle wings on the reverse with oak leaves. I guess oak trees were very popular in Germany :D
     
  5. wokeupscreamin

    wokeupscreamin Junior Member

    I'm a little upset at those who say if they come in contact with a nazi coin they would destroy it. What gives you the right? just because it doesnt sit well with you doesnt mean you have the right to destroy a token from one of the most significant era's of the 1900's. Why not just burry it or throw it in a river so someone else can find it later on who might appreciate historic pieces. or.. send it to me.
     
  6. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet


    Alas! Ownership gives them the right. On the bright side, most of these are not terribly rare artifacts, there are plenty more and if they destroy one then yours becomes a bit more valuable. :) Of course I do not agree with it but I also sometime get a little weirded out about people who love Nazi Era German Reich items and focus on them...I think THOSE people do have an affinity to what they stand for.

    In the end, its your right to collect them and their right to destroy them if they like. I prefer pre-WWI era and Weimar era German coin...especially the many emergency issues.

    Oh, and like it or not, regardless of what that symbol meant for however long...most people only see Nazi Germany when they see it. Unfortunate for sure but when a society exterminates millions of people under that symbol, its hard to overshadow that....
     
  7. wokeupscreamin

    wokeupscreamin Junior Member

    I dont believe ownership gives them the right. It gives them the ability, but not the right. Furthermore I feel that no-one has ownership of any peticular coin.. just temporary posession. These were (most likely) made before you were born and have lasted 60+/- years. If you dont like them... stay away from them. Just like anything else.
     
  8. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    Okay, but the reality of the situation is it indeed it does give them the right to do so...If I wished I could buy nothing but nazi era coins and destroy them and thats my right...not that I would do it as I dont like Nazi era coins all that much, I have a few just to represent the type. I have better things to do with my money. Its nice to think these things belong to history and us all and we are just caretakers but the fact is, I own my coins and they are mine to do as I please.
     
  9. Pilkenton

    Pilkenton almost uncirculated

    I think Nazi coins are popular with people my age (51) because we grew up watching "Combat" and "The Great Escape". Playing army was a major part of my life growing up. World War 2 wasn't that long ago, so we still relate to it. We all have war nickels and steel pennies. And Nazi coins are probably the cheapest Nazi item you can you can buy. That stuff is HotHotHot!!! The nastier the better. An SS helmet or something from the Gestapo is worth a lot more than a regular German military item. Concentration camp memorabilia is also highly collectable. Right or wrong, the market is there. If you're offended by this, don't collect it. The same could be said about collecting confederate or USSR money. I like my few Nazi coins.
     
  10. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    When it comes to what tree, twig or leaf should be depicted on a German coin, the oak is still the Number One. ;) The coins of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949-today) have always had oak "thingies" at least on some of the denominations. These were our Pfennig coins (1 Pf to 50 Pf); and each of them had a mini oak tree: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Deutsche_Pfennige.jpg

    The GDR coins (East Germany) all had oak leaves between 1956 and 1990; the only exception were the 20 Pf and 5 M coins. Here is one example: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/GDR-1978-Coin-0.01.jpg

    This is what the country specific sides of our current 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins look like: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/images/image8487.gif

    Oh, and guess what the first piece in the new "Forest Trees" series of small gold coins will be? :rolleyes: http://www.deutsche-sammlermuenzen.de/bmf/art/shop/goldmuenzen/20_euro_gold_eiche_gross.jpg

    Sorry for the brief 21st century interruption; don't want to keep you from discussing your nazi coins ...

    Christian
     
  11. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    That concept may apply to unique works of art, for example, but not to mass pieces such as those coins. The coin that I have in my hand or wallet is mine (well, unless it's borrowed or stolen ...), I am the owner and may do with them whatever I want.

    There are countries where mutilating or destroying coins is against the law. Here in Germany, however (and I think the same is true for the US), you can keep your coins in jars, hammer them flat, melt them -- or collect them. :)

    Christian
     
  12. wokeupscreamin

    wokeupscreamin Junior Member


    Do you plan on passing them when you die? They are gonna go to someone. Therefore you are in temporary possesion. These arent in the same category as your underware. People arnt gonna throw them away when you die. You Own your underware.. you posses your coins.


    Dont have time to check spelling. food is done.
     
  13. willieboyd2

    willieboyd2 First Class Poster

    King Leopold II of Belgium

    Right up there in infamy for what he did in the Belgian Congo.

    [​IMG]
    1 Franc 1867 - French language

    [​IMG]
    1 Franc 1886 - Flemish language

    :)
     
  14. nyhariel

    nyhariel Senior Member

    Coins with swastika are very popular in my district. Please, keep in mind that before 1945 my city was in Deutsches Reich. I think the first time of using swastika symbol on money in XXth century was on russian banknotes in 1917...
     
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