I've recently worked up an interest in German bank/private issue silver medals. The designs and striking are very high quality and they are quite affordable at around bullion value or with a small premium. Not to mention there is a wide variety to collect. Here are a few I recently picked up. Post yours PS: Apologies for the angle of the photos, this is the best way I can capture the quality of the detail with my iphone. 2014 quarter ozt and 2015 half ozt 999 Silver Quadriga Left - Mainz, new and old city hall 835 silver, 13.7gr, proof-like. Right - Mainz, 1972 tribute of 2 goldgulden (1597-1622), 925 silver, 7.5gr, proof. Middle Franconia, 1987 Christmas tribute, 1000 silver, 12gr, proof. Nuremberg, reconstruction of old town hall, 1000 silver, 28.9gr, proof. And my favorite one of the bunch... Nuremberg, 1985 tribute of 1632 thaler, 1000 silver, 29gr, proof.
I really like that oak branch design, for some reason. I know, it's really basic (though not as basic as seen on the 1-, 5- and 10-pfennig coins). But it just appeals to me somehow. The "1632" proof "throwback" thaler is very handsome, too. Nice stuff.
Those "quadriga" medals are made and sold by the Berlin Mint, one of the five mints in Germany that also make coins. One side always shows the Quadriga from the Brandenburg Gate; the other side has the oak leaves, either with the words "Einigkeit Recht Freiheit" or with some issue specific inscription. They also make Panda medals, designed bars, etc. Now when it comes to medals, an "official" mint is not better or worse than any other issuer. I do not collect those, but once in a while I may get one if it has a special "background" for me. For example, I have been to Stolberg, ST twice and visited the Old Mint there too. That used to be a working mint and is now a museum, but from time to time they still mint medals there, using old tools. Once a year the new annual medal is presented and made there. The 2011 medal showed the torn CoA of Stolberg. Huh? Well, the place had just become part of the town of Südharz - and many Stolbergers did not like that. That medal I just had to buy ... Christian
The Aschaffenburgers would not like that. Yes, I see the words Christmas in Middle Franconia on one side - but the other side shows a castle in Aschaffenburg, and that city is in Lower Franconia, hehe. (Well, both regions are parts of Bavaria, so maybe it does not matter that much ...) Christian
I really like those Quadriga medals - wouldn't mind owning one. They have a commemorative coin "look" to them. I also like the symbolism of them, in commemoration of the fall of the wall and the reuniting of Berlin. Sometime I need to visit Berlin - one of the few cities in Germany I have not been too. The Pergamon Museum would be very very high on my list of places to haunt.
@chrisild thanks so much for the insight and cultural context, as always. That is a rare thing to find first hand
Have just been there a few days ago - well, not quite. I visited the Bode Museum next door, mostly for the Muse Macht Moneten exhibition that I missed in February when I was in Berlin for the World Money Fair. The Bode also shows many coins from the Berlin Coin Cabinet. The Pergamon Museum, BTDT , is definitely worth a visit. Parts are still being rebuilt, and the Pergamon Altar cannot be visited, but the Ishtar Gate and procession street from Babylon, or the Miletus Market Gate, for example are spectacular too. You can also visit the Berlin Mint, that is, its museum. It is open only on two days per week, and you cannot see the "production part" of the mint, but at least it's free. They will of course let you spend money at their store ... Christian
Very cool. Are you living in Germany or if not, what got you interested? If you need someone in Germany to help you acquire more of these, feel free to message me privately.
I'm in the US. Being a foreign coin guy I constantly come across medals such as these. As my tastes have shifted I started to appreciate them, good bang for the buck as far as quality vs. price
