10 Pfennig - Weilheim

Historical Context: This 10 Pfennig coin from Weilheim in Oberbayern, issued in 1917, reflects Germany's economic struggles during World War I. As the war intensified, the Imperial German government requisitioned precious metals, causing severe coinage shortages. Numerous municipalities, including Weilheim, issued their own emergency currency, known as Notgeld. This zinc issue served as vital small change, enabling local commerce amidst the national monetary crisis and reflecting decentralized economic adaptations of the era.

Artistry: The design of this 10 Pfennig piece is characteristic of wartime Notgeld, prioritizing legibility and functional communication over elaborate artistic embellishment. While specific engravers are often unrecorded for such utilitarian issues, the stylistic school leans towards a pragmatic, almost industrial aesthetic. The obverse likely features the issuing authority, "Stadt Weilheim," and the denomination, "10 Pfennig," with the year. The reverse typically displays a municipal emblem or reiterates the value, reflecting a design ethos focused on immediate utility.

Technical/Grading: Struck in zinc, a base metal chosen for its wartime availability, this coin (2.0 gg, 22.0 mmmm) presents unique challenges for preservation and grading. Zinc is relatively soft, making these issues prone to rapid wear, especially on design high points like lettering or raised emblem elements. Highly susceptible to environmental corrosion, often pitting or discoloring, it significantly impacts eye appeal and limits higher grades. Note the typical weak strike quality inherent to wartime zinc production.