3 Reichsmark Rhineland Evacuation (1930 | Weimar Republic)

3 Reichsmark Rhineland Evacuation 1930 – When the Rhineland Became Free

On 30 June 1930, the last French troops left the so-called Mainz Zone. This marked the end of the Allied occupation of the Rhineland – five years earlier than stipulated by the Treaty of Versailles. The German Reich reacted promptly and, that very same year, issued this silver commemorative coin with a face value of three Reichsmark. Anyone holding this piece today holds a document of its time from the Weimar Republic: minted in a moment of national relief, preserved to this day in genuine silver.

Eagle on the Bridge – A Design with a Message

The obverse depicts a strictly stylised eagle perched on a bridge arch over the Rhine, dividing the year 1930. Around the edge runs the legend "DER RHEIN DEUTSCHLANDS STROM · NICHT DEUTSCHLANDS GRENZE ·" ("The Rhine, Germany's river – not Germany's border"), a quote attributed to Ernst Moritz Arndt. The reverse bears the Reich eagle within a coat of arms, framed by two oak branches, with the inscriptions DEUTSCHES REICH and DREI REICHSMARK. The plain edge carries the inscription EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT ("Unity and Justice and Freedom").

The Rhine, Germany's river, not Germany's border – hardly any German circulation coin conveys its historical message so unmistakably.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

• Face value: 3 Reichsmark (circulating commemorative coin)
• Year of issue: 1930
• Material: Silver, fineness 500/1,000
• Gross weight: 15 g, of which 7.5 g fine silver
• Diameter: 30.00 mm
• Catalogue reference: Jaeger 345 (KM 70)
• Country: Germany – Weimar Republic
• Condition: Circulated, bank-standard quality

Six Mints, One Occasion

The issue commemorating the liberation of the Rhineland was produced at no fewer than six German mints: Berlin (A), Munich (D), Muldenhütten (E), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G), and Hamburg (J). In total, around 3.05 million pieces left the coining presses – Berlin contributed by far the largest share, while Muldenhütten, with approximately 38,400 pieces, produced the clearly smallest mintage. As early as 1934, the denomination was withdrawn from circulation and melted down, and much of it has since been lost. This is precisely why surviving originals are highly sought after.

Circulated Coinage with Character – Not a Mass-Produced Item

These pieces were genuine legal tender. They bear the traces of their history: a darker patina, individual centring, nicks, wear, and in some cases weaker areas of the legend. For many collectors, this is exactly the appeal. As the year of issue, mint, and reverse variant may vary, the item supplied may differ from the picture shown. Please understand that the shop image serves as an example, and that the delivered item may individually differ in appearance and condition due to its historical background. You will receive an original – not a polished mass-produced item.

Comparison: What Makes This 3 Mark Coin Special

• Compared to the 5 Reichsmark Rhineland Evacuation coin (J. 346): the same design, but in a more manageable format and at a significantly lower entry price – ideal for starting a collection.
• Compared to circulation coins from the German Empire and the Weimar Republic: this coin commemorates a specific historical event, rather than serving merely as everyday currency.
• Compared to modern bullion coins: lower fine silver content, but a numismatic collector's value that no modern minting programme can replicate.

Silver: A Tangible Asset with a Long Tradition

Silver has accompanied humanity for millennia as both money and coinage metal. It is scarce, durable, tradable worldwide as a commodity, and in strong demand industrially – in electronics as well as in solar and medical technology. Anyone who collects silver coins combines the intrinsic value of the metal with tangible history. As a tangible asset in your own hands, physical precious metal is a proven building block for inflation hedging and crisis protection. And: profits from the sale of silver are generally tax-free after a holding period of at least one year.

Who This Piece Is Suited For

For collectors of German coins, the 3 Reichsmark silver coin commemorating the Rhineland Evacuation is a must-have piece within the Weimar Republic series. For everyone else, it is a wonderful entry point: an original from 1930 that has passed through countless hands, affordable to start with, and able to be passed down through generations. History that you can keep.