Coin collectors experience history not just through books or stories but through the stamping of metal - an art form that captures political turning points, cultural events, and economic developments. The 75th anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany offers a unique opportunity to look back at this nation's exciting and transformative history, captured in five selected coins that have passed through our hands.
The Woman with the Seedling and the Rebirth of a Nation
On May 23, 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was brought to life with the proclamation of the Basic Law - the birth of a new German currency, however, had already occurred before that, on June 21, 1948. On the morning of this day, a mix of uncertainty, hope, and curiosity filled the air in the streets of Germany, which at that time was divided into four occupation zones. The introduction of the Deutsche Mark was imminent, a step that would mark the end of the old Reichsmark and thus a new beginning in economic policy. It was a historic day, planned and implemented by the Western Allies to stop the hyperinflation that crippled the German economy and to contain the black market.
In the early morning hours, long queues formed in front of
