Commemorative Coin Check

[Craig Gottlieb]

Greetings Panzer enthusiasts. Recently, I got an email from someone advising me that this coin was a "fake" or at least, a post-war something-or-other (not a fake, but maybe an after-the-war commemorative of some sort). It's beautifully die struck, and exhibits high "mint-strike" quality. Can someone verify either the authenticity or vintage of this piece? Thank in advance!

[Craig Gottlieb]

Here's the reverse. Nothing about the coin suggests a post-war piece (quality, construction, etc) but it may certain be a "well known" post-war strike of some sort. If anybody has any information on this coin's origin, please let me know - I don't want to misrepresent it.

[Craig Gottlieb]

And actually, after thinking about it, it can't be a legitimate post-war commemorative, as it's got a swastika on it.

[jmehner]

Is "Munchon" supposed to be "München" (Munich)? And what is an "Oeschiea"- certainly not German. The rune is also mighty crooked and commemorative coins are and have always been scarce in the German military, it is much more a British and American thing.

Just my 2 Cents, FWIW

JM

[Robin Lumsden]

The name at the bottom certainly doesn't read 'Deschler'..............which it should.

Looks like a repro of the wartime regimental & divisional commemorative coins issued by certain panzer units. There were several of these.

This one was apparently made by someone who doesn't speak German!

[Craig Gottlieb]

You know, I never really thought about that - it didn't occur to me that it said it was trying to say "Deschler, Munchen" which I find a bit amusing. Down it comes!

[90th Light]

This commemorative medallion has been made to a very high standard indeed with bronze being appropriate for a unit that would have qualified for the bronze Panzer Assault badge at the time.

I agree that the makers name "Oeschiea Munchon" makes no sense in German at all but is it a German manufacturer ? I would have said that "Oeschiea" was a Romanian name or some where around that part of the world.

Could make sense that a maker outside of Germany was used because the dates on the medallion are correct for when the Aufklarungsabteilung 40 was merged with Kradschutzen 64. I mean the Aufklarungsabteilung 40 of the 14 Panzer Division came into existance on 15 Aug 1940 and the merging with Kradschutzen 64 took place on or around 15 April 1942. Thus the dates are correct.

The second "A" in the word Aufklarungsabteilung is also correct and for a faker who can not understand German this would be a common mistake but in this case it is again correct.

Also why make such a nice example of an unknown or under-valued event ? I mean, why not make a Tiger unit or a Panther unit. Would have a lot more appeal to collectors today. Honestly Pz.A.A. 40 merged with Krad.Sch. 64 , who cares ? Except of course those who were there in that unit at the time.

There is a chance that this might in fact be an original item of the period ordered at a unit or division level and made locally for the event. This unit Aufklarungsabteilung 40 were in Yugoslavia in 1941 and made its way from there up through Hungary and Romania to engage Soviet forces in the south of Russia. The fact that these medallions may not have been made in Germany is a strong possibility because they are in no way an official award but instead a unit "Andenken"

Another thing to consider, is that if these are fakes then we should soon be seeing more. I mean if I could make something that good then why not make some others of the more juicy variety such as the Tiger, Panther or better known Panzer units and events. Why stop with a very unknown unit and time.

Also why get every thing else correct 100% including the artists symbol just below the German soldier collar to then stuff up completely on trying to spell "Descher Munchen" ??? Makes no sense when every thing else is on the nail.

I am inclined to wonder about this one at this stage but would like to know what others think or perhaps see other examples of such medallions,

Chris