Monday, August 04, 2008

The Quiet Germans

Do you have a German coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Continuing from the lot I bought last year here are some ugly coins from Germany. One is from the Empire coinage which lasted from 1871 until 1916 due to World War I. The other two are Third Reich coins which started in1933 until the end of the World War II in 1945.

Now I can't just put up Nazi coins without explaining their status in the numismatic world and to individual coin collectors. When visiting a coin forum you'll notice the least talked about coins are World War II coins, medals, or tokens with Third Reich insignia like the swastika or lightning bolts. Although since many soldiers from around the world occupied Nazi territories they kept these coins as reminders of the war.

Yes I know some countries like Germany have restrictions on this type of material. Some sellers and collectors have a self imposed ban on these type of coins. In the broader community they are just simply coins a piece of history that can not be forgotten. Nearly every coin design has opposition from Confederate money to president who support slavery or modern dictators this one is just the most hated.

If this is your hobby you will come across a coin or note that offends you. So let's add some knowledge to these pieces.

German coins have a rich history and including German states the entire collection is among the most sought after. These coins are in pretty bad shape. As you see they were either not taken care of well or were dug out of the ground.


A little coin history before the value and stats, not counting the German States of the early 1900s.
Issue Years on Coins
Empire 1871-1916
Military Coinage-WWI 1916
Weimar Republic 1922-1923
Rentenmark 1923-1929
Reichsmark 1924-1938
Third Reich 1933-1945
Military Coinage-Occupied Territories 1940-1941
Allied Occupation / Post WWII 1944-1948
Federal Republic 1948-2001
Democratic Republic 1948-1990
Euro2002-Date



There are also a bunch of mintmarks but since these are all A that means they were minted in Berlin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Pfennig / Germany
Year: 1901A
Mintage: 21,045,000
Metal: Copper
Value: $0.20 in Fine(although this one is less because of the damage)

Type/Country: 5 Reichspfennig / Germany
Year: 1941A
Mintage: 246,216,000
Metal: Zinc
Value: $0.10 in Good

Type/Country: 1 Reichspfennig / Germany
Year: 1943A (although it is not 100% clear)
Mintage: 472,401,000
Metal: Zinc
Value: $0.15 in Fine(although this one is less because of the damage)

Zinc does not stand up well and in moist air it will oxidize and form zinc carbonate the white stuff you see leeching out of modern U.S. cents.

Do you have a German coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

14 dollars worth, for Comments/Questions click here.:

James (UK) said...

Very "old"-looking...

I'd guess that they will increase in value somewhat, as there is always a market for millitaria.

Man said...

Not always because if I don't stop the corrosion then it will get worse an just become a lump of metal.

Anonymous said...

haha, I have sixteen German coins, some I've had since I was a kid and a bunch I got from my Auntie May. Here's a few of the older ones:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v678/Theaphelia/germany1.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v678/Theaphelia/german2.png

In addition I have a 500-mark coin from the 1920's or so, a 1 deutsche mark coin from 1990, and a 5 pfennig from 1981.

Man said...

Let me first say good picture and the coins are in great shape. All values are for your coins and their appearance. Other people who read this please take note.

1 Pfennig 1904 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $0.50

10 Pfennig 1901 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $0.50

1 Pfennig 1900 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $0.40

5 Pfennig 1875 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $1.00

5 Reichspfennig 1924-J mintmark above the grain letter A-J average about $10.00

50 Recihspfennig 1922-A yours is mislabeled average about $0.15

1/2 Mark 1906 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird letters from A-J average about $1.00

1 Pfennig 1904 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $22.50

10 Pfennig 1949-D average about $7.50

5 Reichsmark 1935 I can't read the mintmark it is under building letters from A-J average about $7.00

1 Reichspfennig 1925 I can't read the mintmark it is under the wheat letters from A-J average about $0.30

5 Pfennig 1875 I can't read the mintmark it is under the bird two letters from A-J average about $1.00

500-mark coin from the 1920's
It's 1923 because that was the only year it was made. They average $0.50 except 1923-J which is $10.00.

1 mark 1990 about $0.50
5 pfennig 1981 about $0.05

rene ruliera said...

I have a German coin from 1959 with an eagle and
swastika. Denomination is 10 and the letter under
the 10 is E. Is this a valuable coin?
thank you
Rene'

Man said...

German coin from 1959 with an eagle and
swastika. Denomination is 10 and the letter under
the 10 is E


It can't be 1959-E it must be 1939-E, 10 Reichspfennig it's about $1.00.

Unknown said...

I have a German coin from 1941 with eagel and swastika.Denomination is 10 and the letter under
the 10 is E.The coin is in perfect condition and I'v had it laying around, was wondering what its worth

Man said...

German coin from 1941 with eagel and swastika.Denomination is 10 and the letter under
the 10 is E.The coin is in perfect condition


About $20.00 it's a 10 REICHSPFENNIG

Anonymous said...

Hi, i got a German note today for a $1. I thing it's from Munich, September 9, 1921. How old would this be and does it have any value? There is nothing wrong with it, pretty much crisp. Here are some pictures. Thanks in advance.

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/4Taxidermy4/015.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/4Taxidermy4/016.jpg

Man said...

German note today for a $1. I thing it's from Munich, September 9, 1921.

It is from Berlin, it is a Notegeld or emergency money. Millions were made and most survived in high grades.
It's about $1.00, yes it is from 1921 but that does not affect value.

Amber Massey said...

Hi there,
I was wondering if you could give me some info on a coin a friend brought back to me from Germany. It's quite large and gold plated. On one side is an outline of Germany with 2009 and some sort of building within it. The border has 12 stars with "Germany" at the top and "Deutsche Munzkollektion" on the bottom. The flip side has a city scene with the words "Schloss Rheinfels" at the top. My friend didn't know what it was, but I'm thinking it's some sort of touristy coin?

Man said...

It's quite large and gold plated. On one side is an outline of Germany with 2009 and some sort of building within it. The border has 12 stars with "Germany" at the top and "Deutsche Munzkollektion" on the bottom. The flip side has a city scene with the words "Schloss Rheinfels" at the top.

You are corect it is a Revers National Token, they are sold for tourist and are unofficial medals.
They average $4.00.

Anonymous said...

I have a 1949 and 1950 50 pfennig with a D mint mark and an 1876 2 pfennig with lots of corrosion on the eagle. What are they worth?

Man said...

50 pfennig with a D mint mark
1949 about $0.75
1950 about $0.50

1876 2 pfennig with lots of corrosion on the eagle about $0.05