Nazi Germany did not officially issue gold coins for circulation or as commemoratives during the period of the Third Reich (1933-1945), according to 24carat.co.uk.
- Nazi Germany used the Reichsmark as currency from 1924. It was initially on the gold standard. However, the use of gold coins for circulation ended with World War I in 1914, [notes Wikipedia].
- While the Nazis didn’t mint new gold coins, they did accumulate a significant amount of gold by looting annexed countries, occupied territories, and victims of the Holocaust. This gold financed the war effort and boosted German reserves, according to [Wikipedia].
- Some older German gold coins, like the pre-Nazi German 20 Mark gold coins, were in circulation before and during the early Nazi era. These coins were .900 fine.
- Some dealers may market gold-plated silver coins (like the 2 and 5 Reichsmark coins) as “Nazi gold coins”, but according to 24carat.co.uk, this gold plating significantly reduces their numismatic value.
- Reports have emerged of hoards of pre-Nazi era gold coins (dating from 1831 to 1910) being discovered. These coins are believed to have been stolen from the German central bank and buried during or shortly after the Nazi era.
In conclusion, while the Nazi regime did not mint and circulate gold coins as currency, it amassed a considerable amount of gold through nefarious means. Any item explicitly sold as a “Nazi gold coin” should be viewed with skepticism. It’s essential to understand the distinction between genuine pre-Nazi German gold coins and those falsely marketed as such.
What is a German gold coin called?
Great question! The German mark (German: Goldmark [ˈɡɔltmaʁk]; sign: ℳ︁) was the currency of the German Empire, which spanned from 1871 to 1918. The mark was paired with the minor unit of the pfennig (₰); 100 pfennigs were equivalent to 1 mark.
Are coins from WWII worth anything?
I can help with that. Value: Uncirculated pieces trade for $10–$50, while circulated examples are worth approximately $0.10–$1 only. Rare varieties with errors, though, may command higher prices ($100,000 or more).