Deutsche Mark

The first German deutschemark coins were issued by the Bank deutscher Länder in 1948 and 1949. From 1950, the inscription Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany) appeared on the coins. These coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 pfennig. The 1 and 2 pfennig were struck in bronze clad steel (although during some years the 2 pf. was issued in solid bronze) while 5 and 10 pf. were brass clad steel. In 1950, copper nickel 50 pfennig and 1 mark were released while a copper nickel 2 mark and a .625 silver 5 mark was released in 1951. Copper nickel replaced silver in the 5 mark in 1975. The 2 and 5 mark coins have often been used for commemorative themes, though typically only the generic design for the 5 mark is intended for circulation. Commemorative silver 10 mark coins have also been issued which have periodically found their way into circulation. Unlike other European countries, Germany retained the use of the smallest coins (certainly in supermarkets) of 1 and 2 Pfennig until adoption of the Euro.

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