GERMANY. Weimarer Republik. 1918-1933 Goldlauter, Suhl, Consumverein. 20 Pfennig (Zinc, 25 mm, 0.95 g, 12 h), 10 % off center mint error, no date (circa 1920). C. V. / 20 / Pf. / Goldlauter Coat of arms. Rev. Incuse of obverse. Menzel 9290.1. Some deposits, otherwise, extremely fine.



These coins were emergency money in the most literal sense. Faced with an acute shortage of small change at the end of World War I and in the early years of the Weimar Republic, numerous municipalities - and, as in the case of the present piece, even private associations - began issuing their own small-denomination coinage.

Uniface issues recalling the medieval bracteate tradition, however, remained distinctly uncommon. Striking the coins on only one side kept production costs down: it required just a single die and, more importantly, allowed the use of much thinner and lighter flans, considerably reducing the amount of metal needed.