Nazi Kanteengeld

Here's a piece I recently acquired as part of a large mixed lot. I would love to know more about its origins and value. I know they are referred to as Kanteengeld. My question is, were they used on a Nazi base by soldiers or in a prison/internment camps by captives? I am fascinated by the history of the piece but also disgusted by its association. It could find a place in my classroom collection as an educational piece or I might sell it along, though the possibility of it ending up in the hands of an "enthusiast" rather than a historian is also troubling.
Anyhow, here it is...

 

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I'd say don't overthink the piece, who may want it, or why if you offer it up. It may have been used as a ration token, on a military base, or it may have nothing to do with the Third Reich or Nazis in general.

You see, the swastika was in use long, long before Hitler took it over as his party's symbol. For all we know this piece was minted before the days of the Third Reich. It may have been used in India or a neighboring country. In fact, to this day when you go to India swastikas abound there.

They can be found as emblems on automobiles, on license plates, good luck charms, you name it. And its use over there has nothing to do with the relatively small period of time from which it was in use by the Third Reich.

 

Don't worry.

 

But Hitler ruined it for everyone!

 

Cool piece of history, either way.

 

Nice coin, never seen one like it before! It must be a factory token of some sort, the symbol on the front is that of the Deutsche Arbeitsfront or in English, the German Workers Front (DAF) what was the National Socialist Worker's Union (the only Union permitted) in Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Labour_Front

It most certainly is from the Third Reich.

 

Thanks for the additional information. I'll keep digging to learn more. It seems I might be doomed to keep this piece as I listed it for sale on eBay but the listing was taken down because of its Nazi association.

 

I received my first German Reich silver coin 1938 last week. 2 Reichsmark, I did buy from a friend off ebay.

 

I take a dispassionate view towards history so have no issues with them. My concern would be if they're authentic. Are there any references for these? Swastikas seem to command higher prices, as do items tied to the War. Since I'm unfamiliar with any references, I would be skeptical about adding this token to my collection. Similarly, I've seen another so-called Nazi military token and because I don't know if it's authentic, or if there were any in use, I haven't been willing to purchase. Does anyone have a reference?

 

I have bought many German coins on ebay which have swastikas on them. I am a coin collector, not a nazi or a PC wanna be. All coins are historical artifacts which we collectors are charged with preserving for future generations. No need to over think what some symbol may mean to some people. Remember, there are many of us who really dislike the communist star, such as on Chinese, Lao and Vietnamese coins. Yet, I still collect them. This is not a forum for political discussions.

 

Purists say title it as german and don't use the word Nazi and cover the center portion of the swastika to be acceptable on ebay. See how others do it. There are lots of Nazi coins for sale on ebay.

 

I just put three 1934 German silver coins in our local auction and was surprised at the interest in them. They were average Reich Marks well circulated and brought in $71 and I expected maybe $17 so they are popular. Of course the auction house got 45%

 

I have been assembling for my two grandchildren two sets of coins which mark, deliberately or not, pivotal historical points. This includes ancients as well. I have had no difficulty with eBay transactions for any of them. And while Hitler represents (I hope) the nadir of systematic horror, Stalin is not all that far behind, nor is Mao with his Great Leap Forward. History is what it is. One of my professional areas of expertise is with the First Nations of N America and their ancient use of the whirlwind symbol has nothing to do with Nazis.

 

I believe the Swastika has been around since Egyptian times. I know the North Amerian Indians used it to some extent.

 

Chinese use it also

 

Amazing! Were they 2 RM or 5 RM coins? Some people see the Swastika and go crazy over it for some reason, I guess the taboo. I own many 5 RM coins, both with the large eagle and swastika, and the eagle without, and the ones with it always bring a much higher premium, even though they're both from the Third Reich.

 

Prior to 1934 swastikas were a popular good luck symbol in the US and appear on
many tokens. The 45th Division (Oklahoma National Guard) used a yellow swastika on a red square until the Nazis appeared then it changed to a yellow thunderbird on a red square.

 

two 5's and one 2 all third reich

 

I have the 5 & 2 Silver Reichmarks and Post Cards/Stamps in my collections purely for Historical purposes same as all of my pieces .
I must collect , even pieces that offend me .

 

On my recent honeymoon in Europe almost 3 years ago, we visited an ancient church, which was originally built in the 11th Century... it had been updated in the 15th Century, and the mosaics were from that time period... about 20 feet up the walls were a band of red & blue "Hakenkreuz" going around the building... the church was beautiful, and I only saw it as a design from 600 years before.
;-)