2070) German Coins in circulation during World War I: One (1) and Half (1/2) Mark Coins: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2021:
In 1914, World War I erupted across Europe.
Nearly a year later, German pilots had gained air supremacy thanks to their airplanes — the first aircraft fitted with synchronized machine guns that fired bullets through the plane’s spinning propeller.
Germany’s "Flying Circus" led by Manfred von Richthofen — the legendary Red Baron — inflicted punishing losses on Allied airmen throughout 1915.
It wouldn’t be until 1918 during the final year of the war that von Richthofen was finally taken off the board after he crashlanded with a fatal bullet wound in his chest near Morlancourt, France.
Silver Coins Hoarded by German Civilians:
At the same time, Germans faced their own punishing battles on the home front where, in an effort to support the war effort, Germany pulled its silver coinage out of circulation.
Faced with a shortage of currency and hard fast wealth, many Germans began hoarding their silver coins - so much so, that coins like these Silver One Marks and Half Marks virtually disappeared, making these coins struck from 1914 to 1919 significant not only for their connection to the First World War, but also for the paucity of coins in circulation.
The Coin Set:
Both One Mark & Half Mark Coins in this 1914–1919 Germany Silver 1 & 1/2 Mark Two-Piece Set showcase their denomination within a wreath.
On the Obverses of both coins is engraved a Crowned Imperial Eagle.
People who had hoarded these coins more often than not were forced to use them simply to survive from one day to the next.
The set is beautifully housed in a custom-designed card and holder.
The specifications of these Coins are:
Country of issue: Germany; Year of Coins issue: 1919, 1918, 1917, 1916, 1915, 1914, 1913, 1912, 1911, 1910, 1909, 1908, 1907, 1906, 1905 2021; Denomination/Face Value: One Mark (One Mark & Half Mark (1/2 Mark); Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: One Mark - 5.55 grams & Half Mark - 2.77 grams; Coin Quality: About Circulated (AU) and Uncirculated (U); Presentation Box/Case: This 2-piece set is placed in a protective holder with a custom insert card.
- The 1/2 mark was struck between 1905-1919.
- The 1 mark was struck between 1914-1915.
- The ½ Mark is struck from 2.77 grams of .900 silver.
- The 1 Mark is struck from 5.55 grams of .900 fine silver.
- Each coin was struck in 90% fine silver and comes in About Uncirculated to Brilliant Uncirculated (AU–BU) condition — a remarkable grade since Germany’s economy was shattered after the war.
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Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Unique uniqueness of these minted and then withdrawn coins! Good read! 👌"
Thanks, Vikram. I have a 100 Mark Banknote issued in 1920, contributed by a friend who was in Germany, which became a worthless currency post World War I.
DeleteVikram Bhatnagar has further commented:
DeleteIt might be worthless as fiat currency but I'm sure it's true worth lies with collectors, who might pay a fortune for it!"
It does indeed, Vikram. A lady in the USA wrote to me after reading my post a few years back, that her little grand-daughter likes the artwork on this Banknote. Her own father had served as an officer in the US forces in the European theatre during WW I and had brought back this Banknote from Germany. She found my post very comprehensive and downloaded the information, placing them alongside the Banknote in an album as a memento for the little girl, for when she grew up.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very well said! Thanks for sharing this interesting information."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRavindra Nath Gupta has commented:
ReplyDelete"You are recreating history through the coins and stamps; hallmark of a true coins/stamps collector/lover."
Thank you so much, Ravindra for your constant encouragement. It means a lot to me.
DeleteLalit Roy has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative and well put across."
Thank you so much, Lalit.
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