Fragen, 1994A 10-mark commem

[villa66]

We have been puzzling elsewhere over the symbolism of the 1994A 10-mark commemorating 20 Juli 1944. In particular we're puzzled by the intact chain, and why only a single eagle's wing is chained. Would anyone please help us understand a little about the design?

Any help would be much appreciated....

v.

[KarlAntonMartini]

Just my idea: the design symbolisizes Germany (the eagle) not fully chained by Nazi-Party. Maybe the division between the chained and unchained parts of the eagle is a bit euphemistic. - And not yet praised with commorative coins have been three strong roots of german regained liberty: CARE, ERP (Marshal-Plan) and Berlin Luftbrücke. Grüße, KarlAntonMartini

[villa66]

Thanks, KAM, really appreciate it. I have to say as outsiders we found the symbolism of this coin rather opaque, but I do like very much the idea of a Germany not fully chained by the Nazis, despite their access to the state's machineries of control--and their willingness to use, seemingly, whatever methods they cared to use.

Glad too that you mentioned the Luftbrucke. Seems like such a natural for a commemorative coin, and speaking as an American I sure would like to see it. The episode continues to have a real (if, sad to say, a declining) resonance for many of my countrymen, particularly of a certain age. And it isn't only for the chance to take a bow; it's the plain humanity of the episode, I think, that is most of its appeal, and as certain as the wartime Allies have a right to be of the rightness of their (WWII) cause, still I think there's a measure of much-needed atonement to be had by the British and Americans in their 1948-9 relief of Berlin.

Thanks again.

v.

[Numis-Student]

Die Bildseite zeigt einen Adlerflügel, der von einer eisernen Kette beschwert wird. Der Flügel soll stehen für die Weite des Geistes, für die Freiheits- und Unabhängigkeitsbestrebungen, den Aufbruch und den Mut der Widerstandskämpfer und Widerstandskämpferinnen. Das Positive und die Tragik des Deutschen Widerstandes 1933 bis 1945 werden durch den gebrochenen Flügel deutlich gemacht, der gefesselt in Ketten liegt...

Das ist ein Auszug des Protokolls, in dem die Entscheidung für das Motiv begründet wird.

Schöne Grüße,
MR

[KarlAntonMartini]

Danke für den Hinweis. Na, so einigermaßen hatte ich das ja verstanden. - Nach nochmaliger Durchsicht der Motive der deutschen Sondermünzen in Euro ist festzustellen, daß hier weitgehende national Nabelschau betrieben wird. Nur vier Motive haben EU-Bezug. Und warum eigentlich immer dieselben geehrt werden, habe ich auch nicht verstanden, also ich meine Leute, die numismatisch schon reichlich benutzt wurden wie Schiller, Friedrich "der Große" oder die Eisenbahn. Grüße, KarlAntonMartini