GERMANY. 'Drittes Reich'. 1933-1945. Obverse die (matrix) for 5 Reichsmark 1939 (Steel, 51 mm, 440.00 g), designed by Alfred Vocke (1886-1944), and revised by Richard Placht (1880-1960) and Josef Prinz (1876-1960), dated 24 August 1939. Wien (Vienna). 'Paul von Hindenburg - 1847 - 1934' Draped bust of Paul von Hindenburg to left; in right field, mint mark B (all incuse and mirrored). Beyond the die face: K 100 I 24.8.39 / PRINZ. Cf. Jaeger 360 / 367. Cf. KM 94. Of the highest rarity and exceptionally well preserved. Tiny traces of rust, otherwise, as made.



This matrix points not only to Rudolf Placht but also to another Austrian medalist who took part in the reworking of German coin dies in Vienna after 1938. The signature ‘PRINZ’, placed with the date ‘24.8.39’ just beyond the die face, refers to the Austrian medalist Josef Prinz, who had already been designing medals at the Vienna Mint during the Monarchy and the First Austrian Republic.

To what extent Prinz was involved in the transition to German coinage in Vienna in 1938 remains largely unexplored. This die, however, suggests that his role was more significant than previously assumed.