🧠 About the 1941 10 Reichspfennig Coin

The 10 Reichspfennig coin from Nazi Germany was issued during the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler’s regime. This coin was part of everyday circulation and bore the official imagery of the time, including the stylized eagle and swastika on the obverse — symbols of the totalitarian state.

The "J" mintmark indicates that the coin was struck at the Hamburg Mint, one of several mints active during the period.

Specifications:

• Material: Zinc (used due to wartime metal shortages)

• Weight: 3.5 grams

• Diameter: 21 mm

• Edge: Smooth

• Mintmark: J (Hamburg)

• Years of Issue: 1940–1945

Because of the deteriorating economic and military conditions in Germany, these zinc coins were mass-produced yet often poorly preserved, making higher-grade examples harder to find today.

📌 Historical Context

Coins like this were part of everyday life under the Third Reich. They offer insights not just into the economics of wartime Germany but also into how ideology was spread through even the most mundane objects. The use of zinc reflects the shifting priorities of a nation at war, as metals like copper and nickel were diverted to the war industry.

🛡 Collecting Tips

• Condition Sensitivity: Zinc corrodes easily; finding well-preserved examples is a challenge. Store it in a dry, protective holder.

• Historical Caution: Coins from the Third Reich can be controversial. When sharing or displaying them, always provide historical context to avoid misunderstanding.

• Mintmarks Matter: The “J” mintmark is less common than “A” (Berlin) or “D” (Munich), making it a slightly more intriguing variant for collectors focusing on mint distribution.

Your acquisition at the London show represents not just another coin, but a fragment of global history — one that continues to prompt reflection, remembrance, and study.