Here is a shadow box I made for my father. Dad is a WWII veteran of the 82nd Airborne, 319th Glider Field Artillery. He landed 6/6/44 in a glider outside Ste Mere Eglise, France. He also co-piloted a glider into Holland in Market Garden, crossed the Rhine near Cologne, and ended up in Berlin. I took bills from the wad he brought back and used them as a back drop for this commemorative shadow box. I took one from every country he was in. I thought it was a novel idea and Dad really likes it. I also made a shadow box earlier with all his medals and awards and the two look good on the wall of his family room. The commemorative medals are hanging from a piece of WWII shroud line taken from a bunch dad brought back. The ID bracelet dad wore while overseas. Greg
Just curious OP, what would you have done if you found out now that one of those notes was worth $100's? I did want to say though, that the thoughtful gifts mean so much more than something bought at the store and that is one very thoughtful gift. I'm sure your father with greatly appreciate it.
They are not permanently stuck down. I used a special tape with tiny rubber-like dots to hold them in place. They can all be peeled off easily if I ever want to change it. I got the tape at my local "Hobby Lobby". I have a small box of assorted bills and coins. In fact, here are two items that will make the foreign coin collectors cringe,.... the engraved ring was made from melted down English silver coins. Dad had a German jeweler in Berlin make it for him while on occupation duty. Inside the band is engraved "Berlin 1945". The single band dad said was a popular hobby the soldiers did to pass time. They took an English two shilling coin and thumped the edge against something hard constantly rotating it. When the edge rolled over to their liking, the middle was drilled out. You can still read "two shillings" and the date inside. The bracelet was made of English silver coins (dated around turn of the century) and bought for Dad's girl who later turned out to be my mother). Greg
Wow, I have no idea what those notes are worth, but I'm so glad that you thought ahead to make sure the notes weren't damaged.
The paper notes I used were the best of the bunch dad brought back but they are ALL very well used. When our bills get to this condition, the bank takes them out of circulation. Now add a World War to the mix and it's easy to see why the foreign paper of that era looks so worn. These are just some examples of the wear/condition they are all in. Other than the fact dad brought them back, I be quite surprised if there is any $$$ value here. ...probably too many G.I. poker games... Greg
Aside from the fact that at the end of the war, there was a huge amount of devalued currency free for the taking, the war itself makes many of those notes collectable even for people who are otherwise not into numismatics. This means that there is a potentially larger audience seeking out such memorabilia. Personally, I would hit the library, get any book on world currency, and check out relative valuations for those notes. You are probably right that there isn't much value in those notes, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility. Each one of those notes has it's own story that is probably worth more than any monetary value a book attaches to the notes, but supposed one of those notes does indeed turn out to be relatively scarce. It wouldn't hurt to put them in mylar holders, then re-affix them to the box using the exact same method you already described. If it turns out that all of those notes are considered worthless (at least according to a book), you have lost nothing and have in fact gained additional knowledge about those notes that you can now share with anyone that you show the box to. Either way, tell your father I said thanks. Personally, I think men (and women) of his stature don't hear that enough.
gatzdon, Thank you for your input and kind remarks. I'll pass on the well wishes of everyone that has responded. Looks like I have some work to do. Greg
All I can say is that I can think of no better use for these notes and even those coins. The rings are a unique and priceless memento - if he hadn't made them then they would have been melted down at some point anyway. I like his style, having those rings made and then having the one engraved BERLIN 1945.
I have a good one and will post it soon. My computer just blew a hard drive and I'm limping along right now. Help is on the way. Greg
Hi Greg, Your gift is absolutely wonderful. Nearly everyone of the elders in my family was involved in WWII also. I say Thank You to every veteran I meet on Veteran's Day, and am grateful to them all everyday. Bless them one and all! jeankay
I know this isn't a coin/currency related photo and I will refrain from further such entries. This is a composite photo showing dad in 1945 and 2004. I had him autograph it with his outfit and battles fought in. Greg
I can tell you that the German Reichsbanknotes arent worth much at all...they are just interesting All very cool stuff.
Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Extremely cool links between family, history, and collecting you have there. The uniform display looks excellent.
