GERMANY. Allied Occupation, 1945-1949. 1 Reichspfennig 1945 F (Zinc, 17 mm, 1.79 g, 12 h), unplated reverse mint error. Stuttgart. Deutsches Reich / •1945• Eagle. Rev. Reichspfennig / 1 Mintmark F between two oak branches. Jaeger 373b. Very rare mint error. Good extremely fine.



Beginning in 1940, the German mints replaced the copper- and nickel-based alloys traditionally used for minor coinage with zinc, as those metals were increasingly diverted to military production.

Since untreated zinc is highly susceptible to corrosion, the finished coins were given a protective plated surface during manufacture, both to improve durability and to provide a more attractive appearance. On the present piece, however, the reverse escaped this process entirely, leaving the zinc surface exposed. Errors of this kind are very rare and provide a fascinating insight into the technical realities of wartime coin production during the Second World War.