Third Reich Counterfeits

Hi Zaggy - I have been collecting counterfeits for many years and frankly Counterfeit German Third Reich/Allied Occupation coins (1933-1948) are unknown to me. I have counterfeits from the Empire, but not the period of WWII. I presume they must exist because nearly every coin has been forged at one time or another.

Zaggy check out this site for some information on Third Reich coins that may help you out. You can also contact this guy and see what he knows about any counterfeits. Hope this helps!
http://www.luckylukeonline.com/

Todd

Sorry, but after reading this, I just had to register and reply. 1) There are no Schiller Fakes at all, never were, never have been. If this so-called Luke guy (yes I did look at his website) had one, and sent it back, then more fool him as if it were real, (and it aint) then it would be worth a bomb. There are no Fakes of the 3 Reich coins at all. There are collectors fakes, and manipulated coins for sure, (produced after 45`)but there is absolutly no evidence to support that any fakes we in circulation during 33-45!I have been collecting misstrikes/errors and essais (proben) for near 25 years now, and am currently working on a book on the coins of the 3 Reich, as this era is sparcley coved, and info is hard to find, and contradicting to boot. It is an era that is becomming more and more popular as time gos by, and as the bulk-finds get melted down and the good coins dissapear.. Believe it or not, there are many collectors..and it`s a very interesting era..! ((PS: Anyone who sells reichscoins dipped in 24K gold needs their head examined. This has nothing to do with collecting, and suits only to glorify the 3.reich. there IS..a big difference, and anyone selling these kind of coins needs to go stand in the corner for a very long time.)) If there are some of you who are genuinely interested in this aspect of the 3.reich period, then I would be more than happy to enlighten you, and clear up whatever questions you have. The book should be out in around 6 months, it covers all aspects of the minting period 33-45, and will include proben and specimines that have only recently come to light. Sorry to say, it will be out in German first, and if all go`s well, it may come out in English. It is not aimed at compeating with the KM or Jäger books, but simply a study on that period, with all info available neatly presented, with backgrounds, and current market prices, as the current catalogs fail misarably as not enough time has been devoted to this very interesting coin period. Just wanted to clear that up :-)

Ummm, CMG, I'm not going to argue with you here, but the fact there were/are no fakes? I'm looking at scans from books now and images of a number of Third Reich Fakes/Counterfeits (including a Schiller) that was sent to me after my last post here. So unless these coins were cooked up just for me, I must attempt to reassure you that there are at least a number of known Fakes in existence.

Now whether or not these were in circulation during the time, was never part of the question; BUT there is no evidence that I can find to confirm WHEN these counterfeits were produced.

Good Luck with your research, I'm interested in reading what you come up with :)

Zaggy - Technically you are correct when you say a counterfeit is any coin that "was manufactured by someone other than the recognised authority." However, that definition is so broad that it is not uselful and can be misleading.

Under that simple definition the following coins are counterfeits:

All 15 of the "Original" and "Restrike" 1804 US Dollar coins.
All 5 of the 1913 Liberty 5 cent coins.

But everyone, realizes that these coins are not in the same category as an 1804 Numismatic counterfeit made last week in China by pressure casting.

To be useful, the definition of counterfeit needs to be expanded along the lines suggested by CMG, so that some counterfeit types can be distinguished.

Nearly every numismatist "expert" and novice divides counterfeits into at least TWO sub-divisions - Contemporary (meaning Circulating made at the same time as the originals) and Modern (meaning made anytime AFTER a coin stopped circulating). I don't want to quibble over exact word meanings, but the concept is critial. The first group were intended to defraud in general circulation (or as bullion) along side the coins they were copying. The Modern Class includes and refers to all other types of copies including non-fraudulent copies that were never intended for use as money or bullion.

But even these two categories are not adequate in all situations. Personally I have tried many times to create an all inclusive list of categories. I think there are no less than 10 useful subdivisions.

When it comes to value and especially historical interest distinctions based on USE and intended PURPOSE need to be drawn whenevr we speak about Counterfeits.

I think CMG may have taken his bat and ball and gone home.

He has not posted since 17th.

Pity he had a coin I was after to complete my German Nazi Set.

No just the nazi circulation coins.....some UNC and other not so godd.

In fact you refered me to your mate luckyluke, where I was able to fill part of my gap. Now only one to go 1939G 1 Reichsmark.

No I do not collect occupation stuff......at the moment...maybe once I finish this off.