Coins are history!

sayitfast

I’m not a big collector or an expert by any means… I collect coins that coincide with historic dates. My coins are not of great value to most but I love them as they bring history to life for me.

That being said I recently received a Nazi era war coin; it’s the first Nazi WW II coin I have purchased… I was very ambivalent about purchasing it and now that I have received it, that ambivalence is the same or worse. WW II, even too history buff like me is still very distant in time. The coin I’m holding in my hand has really brought so many thoughts to my mind. Coins have always brought history close to me, and I have used that closeness to imagine the times when those coins we cherish were rumbling in peoples pockets. This coin is simply chilling to me… the markings etc. I am not sure I will keep it… but as a reminder of the past, it leaves a strange feeling in me.

This was a strange experience to me and wonder if others collect more for a sense of history than Numismatic considerations?

Thanks,
Rhett

Coxe

More chilling I think is the concentration camp scrip. That is a serious hot potato to hold.

I think collectors of Civil War era coins and currency, particularly Confederate notes, blend a lot of "history in your hands" with the hobby. There is a lot more water under the bridge there than for WWII history, enough that the discomfort of the reality is not as intense.

MrEureka

I am not sure I will keep it… but as a reminder of the past, it leaves a strange feeling in me.

I'd feel the same way if it was the only coin in my collection. Then again, if the Nazi coin sat alongside a 1941 Walker (to represent our entry into WW2) and a 1948 Israel 25 Mil (Israel's first coin), I doubt you would ever consider selling the coins.

LanLord

I have looked at Nazi era coins on many occasions and just couldn't bring myself to buy one because of the horrible history of what they stood for.

It's an odd feeling, no real good reason for it, but I can't shake it.

Preussen

I collect coins primarily for their historical significance. My interest in German history (including military history), combined with a passion for numismatics has resulted in the assembly of a fairly extensive German (mostly Prussian) coin collection, including a complete German 3rd Reich type set. Some of these coins are quite scarce and beautiful (IMO), regardless of the symbolism depicted. - Preussen