Catalog
| Issuer | Aachen, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1920 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 10 Pfennigs (10 Pfennige) (0.10) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 3.9 g |
| Diameter | 20.9 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Funck#1.1, Funck#1.2, Men05#70.1, Men18#99.1 |
| Obverse description | City name flanking bear on base with date below. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | STADT AACHEN 1920 |
| Reverse description | Legend surrounding denomination centered. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | NOTMÜNZE 10 - PFENNIG - |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1920 - F#1.1 (medal alignment) - 1 772 000 1920 - F#1.1 g) like f)but Reverse: but `Ü` get wider at the top, dots touch on the right side `U` - 1920 - F#1.1a) Obverse: `N` in AACHEN with 4 serif ; Reverse: space between T - M in NOTMÜNZE is 0.5 mm - 1920 - F#1.1b) like a) but `Ü` get wider at the top and is nearly closed - 1920 - F#1.1c) like a) but `TM` touch each other - 1920 - F#1.1d) like a) but the round hole in the chest of the bear is closed - 1920 - F#1.1e) Obverse: `N` in AACHEN with 3 serif, `N` touch the base ; Reverse: `Ü` with to long strikes inside the `U` - 1920 - F#1.1f) Obverse: `N` in AACHEN with 2 serif, the first `A` in AACHEN the first serif slash without strike on the left ; Reverse: slash from `1` ends over the serif from `N` - 1920 - F#1.1h) like f) but `A` with slash ; Reverse: legs of `Ü` are perpendicular - 1920 - F#1.1i) like h) but legs of `Ü` are slanted - 1920 - F#1.1k) like h) but Reverse: slash of `1` ends in the middle over `N` - 1920 - F#1.1l) like k) but `A` from AACHEN without slash - 1920 - F#1.2 (coin alignment) very rare - 10 700 |
| Numisquare ID | 6629796840 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1920 10 Pfennig from Aachen exemplifies Germany's post-World War I economic turmoil. During the early Weimar Republic, hyperinflation and metal shortages led municipalities like Aachen, then under Allied occupation, to issue Notgeld (emergency money). Struck in iron, this coin directly reflects the severe scarcity of traditional coinage metals and the urgent need for small denominations to maintain local commerce amidst a fractured monetary system.
Artistry: The engraver for this utilitarian Notgeld issue is typically unrecorded. Its design adheres to a functionalist aesthetic. The obverse prominently displays "10 PFENNIG" and "STADT AACHEN." The reverse features the city's coat of arms: a crowned imperial eagle, symbolizing Aachen's past as a Free Imperial City. This straightforward design prioritizes clear communication and practical production over elaborate artistic detail, characteristic of emergency coinage.
Technical/Grading: Struck in iron, this 10 Pfennig coin is highly susceptible to corrosion and wear. High-points prone to flattening include the eagle's crown, head, and feather details. Lettering on both sides can also show weakness. Technical strike quality varies, with examples exhibiting incomplete strikes or minor planchet imperfections due to rapid production. Rust and pitting are common issues heavily influencing grading, often obscuring finer details.