WWII and it's coins.

I am currently reading a novel, which takes place in Argentina during the early stages of WWII. It is about the OSS operations attempting to prevent the government of Argentina supporting the diversion of oil to Germany. I find this a very interesting story, which details the politics and involvement of Latin American countries during the war. Since History and coins are my two main hobbies, I try to mix them whenever I can.

I did some research on the countries that were either part of the Axis or Allies and to what extent they were involved. I am still studying this subject and finding new fact all the time. I thought it would be interesting to see how many world coins I had that were current during the time frame of WWII. That would begin with 1939 when Germany invaded Poland and end 1n 1945, when the war ended. This should make a fun theme to allow everyone an opportunity to share his or her own collections.

The Axis: Bulgaria · Croatia · Finland · Germany · Hungary · Iraq · Italy · Italian Social Republic · Japan · Manchukuo · Romania · Slovakia · Thailand · Vichy France

The Allies: Ethiopia · China · Czechoslovakia · Poland · United Kingdom · India · France · Australia · New Zealand · South Africa · Canada · Norway · Belgium · Netherlands · Greece · Yugoslavia · Soviet Union · United States · Philippines · Mexico · Brazil

Underground Resistance fighting the Nazis and Japan: Austria · Baltic States · Belgium · Czech lands · Denmark · Estonia · Ethiopia · France · Germany · Greece · Hong Kong · Italy · Jewish · Korea · Latvia · Luxembourg · Netherlands · Norway · Philippines · Poland · Thailand · Soviet Union · Slovakia · Western Ukraine · Vietnam · Yugoslavia

The above list is not complete since many, many others had some less publicized roles during the war.

I current own coins from most of these countries, but the time frame of 1939 to 1945 narrows down the selections. Feel free to jump in and share as we explore this era.


I’ll start with the Axis countries and see what we can find together.


Germany: Started the ball rolling by invading Poland on 9/1/1939

 

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The Soviet Union should be in both the Axis and the Allies groups.

 

Romania was also on both sides, joined the Allies in 1944 after King Mihai overthrew the Antonescu government. King Mihai was awarded the gold HSU medal for his involvement in toppling the fascist government and now is the last living WWII era leader - he is currently 92 years old.

 

Notice that Frace is also on both sides. The Allies as France(occupied) and the Axis, as Vichy France(unoccupied).

 

Here is the king of the Romanian Iron Guard -

 

Italy joined the war in late 1940. The had a "Pact of Steel" with Germany and had the desire to share part of the spoils of war.

 

Japan: We all know about Pearl Habor. Japan was the leader of the Axis forces in the Pacific. The Atom bomb ended their war desires.

 

My Vichy France set...

 

Allies: Australia announced their involvement on 9/3/1939 but was bound by Great Britain's declaration of war. Largely involved with war on Japan.

 

My Fascist Italy set -

 

Allies: Belgium attempted to remain neutral but was invaded in 1940. Not liberated until 1944.
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Some Nazi era Germans I own -

 

Free French Note 1944 -

 

Canuck wartime coinage -

 

South Africa -

 

British West Africa -

 

Ethiopia -

 

Japanese puppet state Manchuria -

 

India -

 

French Indochina -