In 1933, the Reichsbank was exploring alternatives to the silver Reichsmark coinage that had dominated since the 1920s. This nickel pattern is part of that experimental phase — nickel was cheaper and more strategically available than silver, which the new Nazi government was already beginning to hoard for rearmament purposes. The pattern was never adopted; silver remained the production standard for the 1 Reichsmark until 1933's own circulating issues went out.
In 1933, the Reichsbank was exploring alternatives to the silver Reichsmark coinage that had dominated since the 1920s. This nickel pattern is part of that experimental phase — nickel was cheaper and more strategically available than silver, which the new Nazi government was already beginning to hoard for rearmament purposes. The pattern was never adopted; silver remained the production standard for the 1 Reichsmark until 1933's own circulating issues went out.