German Third Reich Type Set

I have been thinking about putting together a type set of WWII era German coins...one of my favorite periods of history. However, I'm not sure what to include in the set.

The main reason I'm unsure what coins to include is there is somewhat of a disconnect with the the beginning on the Third Reich and the minting of their coins. Historically, the Third Reich existed from January 30, 1933 until May 8, 1945. This begins with Hitler being sworn in as Chancellor of Germany thus beginning the seizure of power (Machtergreifung) and ending with the German Surrender.

Beginning in 1933, the German's minted new designs on their 1, 2, 3, and 5 Reichsmark coins. So, those are easy to include. The problem I am having with determining the boundaries of my set is with the smaller fractional coins. It wasn't until 1936 that they began minting new designs on their 1, 2, 5, and 10 Reichspfennig coins and not until 1935 for a new design on the 50 Reichspfennig.

The problem lies with the coins minted before the change in design. Weimer Republic designs were minted from 1933-1936 for many of these denominations (and until 1938 for the 50 Reichspfennig). So, they were minting Weimer coins during the Third Reich.

So, my big question is...should I include the Weimer Republic design coins minted from 1933-1938 as part of my Third Reich type set?

I know the typical answer to questions like this is to include what you want in your set. I don't want to hear that answer...I know that already. I was just wondering what everyone else here thought. I am leaning one way already...but I wanted to hear some other opinions.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

YES I include the Weimar Republic ones in the set I have been slowly putting together... it was going to be a complete set by mint and year , but they have 8 mints so it got crazy quick.

But yes include the Weimar ones, absolutely. In fact, which do you need? What you go far? I may be able to help you out.

 

I think that such a set should not include weimar republic type coins, I would think that those coins designs and legends would not be germane to the cult of national socialism, In other words I would guess that they would look out of place in such a set.

 

Looks aren't everything. If you are collecting Third Reich numismatic artifacts then you should encompass all items minted under the Third Reich, which would include the subset of Weimar Republic type coins, even though they appear to be Weimar Republic, they were minted under the Third Reich. I guess it depends on how complete you want to say your new collection is.

 

That is a very interesting point that I hadn't considered. I find it strange that not only would the Nazi leadership allow those coins to continue circulating...they continued to mint them.

 

As I collect American coins, one cents, Nickel, Dimes,Quarters, Half dollars, Dollars, and commemoratives coins from all the years and types, all those coins make up USA. So. my question to you is if you are collecting coins from Germany why not all the years and type. History is History and if you like or not like that part Please remember all German coins would complete the set. You may see my German coins in the link below. Cheryl

 

If I was doing the set, I would include the Weimer Republic Reichspfennigs. Mainly because, even though they weren't designed by the third reich, they were still used, and minted by them. Which would make them part of the third reich's history.

 

You say you collect American coins...one cents, nickel, ect., all coins that make up USA. One nation. But Emperial Germany, Weimar Germany, Nazi Germany, Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR aren't the same country. They are all different nations. It would be like including considering colonial coinage, Confederate coinage, and Native American currency (whatever they used) as USA coinage. My primary interest in German history focuses on one of the nations that comprised "German History" which is the Third Reich. This is why I am asking this question...both to myself and to other members of this forum. What constitutes a country's (in this case the Third Reich of Germany) coinage. Is it all the coins minted when that leadership was in power or all the coins minted that reflected the symbolism of that leadership?

This is actually what I have been thinking all along. The Third Reich came to power in 1933...so any coin minted beginning in 1933 until they fell from power in 1945 is their coinage.

 

If the Nazis didn't mint the types, just let the old ones continue to circulate, I would say no. But Adolf & Co. did continue to produce these types, so my answer is yes, include them in the Third Reich collection.

 

lolI'm slowly building mine up, i'm trying to start from the mid 1800's until now.

 

I would say yes, include them. If you are interested in the history of the Third Reich, these are part of that history and as thus, should be included.

 

The Nazi's could have put Snow White and Mary Poppins on their coinage and they still would be Nazi's. Include the 1932 - 36 stuff. Traci

 

Its all personal preference really. I was thinking of doing a set with only the coins that are obviously nazi ie the ones with swastikas on them.

 

During the time period you've stated, yes it has to be included.

 

I would only include the designs conceived and produced for the Third Reich...not Weimar as that was a republic and although this era gave rise to the Third Reich and anti-Semitism post WWI blame game...I still don't think they should be considered Third Reich coins, just an opinion. Coming from a guy who collects PRE Third Reich German coins and notgeld.

 

For me YES, its part of the story

Q

 

I won't include them, because even if they were minted during the 3rd. Reich, the weren't DESIGNED during that period.

 

Collect whatever pleases you, but personally, I include only the types that are unique to the 3rd Reich. I exclude Weimar designs that were continued beyond 1933, just as Europe's "money trend" appropriately (IMO) catalogs these under Weimar, not 3rd Reich. -Preussen

 

Why should it matter who designed them? Hitler (or Hitler's designate) authorized production these coins under his rule, thus Nazi Coins. As one other collector noted, Snow Whilte could be on the coin, it doesnt make them any less Nazi Coins.

I guess this is where collectors truly diverge.

--There are the ones that collect for the history of the hobby. To know that an artifact (coin, note, medal, etc.) was there during history and to own such an artifact drives some people. It doesn't matter who minted it, printed it, designed it, melted it, etc.... Just that it was there.

--Others just think it's cool to have stuff.

 

I have often wondered why these coins were authorized. They were designed and issued by a inferior and weak government in the eyes of Hitler and his government...one would think any symbolism of the previous system would have been gotten rid of. Does anyone know why they continued to issue these coins?