Reichsmark: Coin of the Weimar Republic and Third Reich

Illustrated Specimen Details: German Reich 5 Reichsmark

Example Specimen: 5 Reichsmark, 1935 (German Reich)

Iconography & Design: Struck in high-grade silver, this prominent denomination represents a significant transitional period in German numismatic history. The obverse features a dignified right-facing portrait of Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934), the celebrated German Field Marshal of World War I who later served as the President of Germany during the 1925-1934 period. Below the portrait, the single letter A serves as the official mintmark for the Berlin Mint (Staatliche Münze Berlin). The reverse displays the traditional stylized state emblem, the Reichswappen, in the form utilized during the 1933-1935 period — a stylized eagle facing left, encircled by the bold inscriptions DEUTSCHES REICH and the denomination 1935 - REICHS - 5 - MARK.

Edge Inscription: A defining feature of this heavy silver piece is its incuse edge lettering. Rather than standard reeding, the edge carries the national motto of the contemporary administration: GEMEINNUTZ GEHT VOR EIGENNUTZ, which translates directly as "The common good before the individual good". This phrase underscored the official state stance regarding the complete subordination of private economic interests to national goals.

1. GERMANY (Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany eras, 1924-1939): 1 reichsmark = 100 reichspfennig

About the name of the coin: The term reichsmark (abbreviated as RM) translates literally into English as "Imperial Mark" or "State Mark". It represents a specific historical variant of the classic German mark currency system. The Reichsmark functioned as the official monetary unit of Germany during a turbulent timeline spanning from 1924 until 1948, surviving multiple regime changes and the devastation of World War II.

The Rise and Fall of the German Reichsmark

The introduction of the Reichsmark in 1924 marked a crucial turning point for a nation recovering from extreme fiscal instability. It was created to replace the old Papiermark, which had been rendered completely worthless by the catastrophic hyperinflation crisis of the early 1920s.

Monetary Stability and Artistic Shifts

During its initial decade under the Weimar Republic, the Reichsmark gained a reputation as a highly stable, dependable currency backed by gold and international credits. Early issues from the 1920s often showcased expressive, artistic designs influenced by the Art Deco and Weimar movements. Following the political shifts of 1933, the newly established government retained the core monetary structure of the Reichsmark but systematically replaced the visual imagery on the coinage to reflect nationalistic themes, agricultural motifs, and portraits of deceased national heroes like Hindenburg.

Wartime Debasement and Post-War Replacement

As Germany mobilized for extensive military campaigns in the late 1930s, the composition of circulating coinage underwent dramatic changes. Precious silver was quickly withdrawn from regular civilian production to secure strategic metal reserves. Minor denominations previously struck in nickel or bronze were transitioned to inexpensive substitute metals such as zinc and aluminum.

Following the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the Reichsmark continued to circulate as a temporary transitional currency within the Allied-occupied zones of Germany. However, due to severe shortages of consumer goods and immense overprinting, it suffered from a massive loss of purchasing power, leading to widespread barter trade. The historical timeline of the Reichsmark finally concluded in 1948 with major currency reforms, which replaced it with the Deutsche Mark in West Germany and the East German Mark in the eastern sector. Today, silver specimens from the mid-1930s remain important historical artifacts for numismatists studying twentieth-century European history.