GERMANY
General coin
specifications
alloy: brass / alpaca 12%
diameter: 31,00 mm /
35,00mm
thickness: 2,25 mm
edge: milled
collection name:
German Heritage
Deutsche Münzkollektion
recent collection size :
31 coins
Contact the local distributor
BAVARIA - FÜSSEN
Hohes Schloss
The town of Füssen is charmingly located on
the edge of the Bavarian Alps, framed in by
imposing high mountain peaks and an idyllic
lake district.
The Hohes Schloss (High Castle) is Füssen’s
landmark, towering over a maze of narrow
lanes. This is the former summer residence of
the prince bishops of Augsburg and one of
Swabia’s largest and best preserved late gothic
castle complexes.
The living quarters today house a branch
gallery of the Bavarian State Collections of
Paintings. The facades in the castle courtyard are adorned with illusionist paintings that delude
the viewer into seeing oriels, window frames and molded corners.
BAVARIA - OBERSTDORF
Heini-Klopfer-Skiflugschanze
Oberstdorf is the leading wintersports resort
located in the Allgäu region of the Bavarian Alps.
This is where the World Nordic Championships
were held in 1987. The summits of the Nebelhorn
and Fellhorn provide dramatic panoramic views
of the alps.
Visitors can ride a unique diagonal elevator to the
top of the Heini-Klopfer-Skiflugschanze.
Ski jump fact sheet:
- Foundation: 500 m² of concrete
- Anchoring: 40 Steel anchors of 14m deep
- Length: 144m
- Height: 72m
- Inclination: 39°
- Overhang: 57m
- Jump off speed: approximately 106 km/h
- Jump length: approximately 260m
- Difference in height: approximately 132m
BAVARIA
Schloss Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps of
Germany is the most famous palace built for
Louis II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as
Mad King Ludwig, who grew up nearby at
Hohenschwangau Castle.
Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Louis's
death in 1886, the castle is the embodiment of
19th century romanticism. In a fantastical
imitation of a medieval castle, Neuschwanstein
is set with towers and spires and is
spectacularly sited on a high point over the
Pöllat River gorge.
The construction of the castle was carried out according to a well thought-out plan. The castle
was equipped with all kinds of technical conveniences which were very modern, if not to say
revolutionary at that time. Running water on all floors. The spring which supplied the castle
with excellent drinking water was located 200 meters above the castle. There was a hot water
system for the kitchen and the bath and even toilets equipped with automatic flushing on every
floor. The castle was also equipped with a warm air heating system for the entire building.
Neuschwanstein served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and
appears prominently in several films, including The Great Escape, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,
The Timekeeper, Ludwig, and Spaceballs. Neuschwanstein Castle is a finalist for the New
Seven Wonders of the World, along with 20 other would-be wonders.
BERLIN
Brandenburger Tor
The Brandenburg Gate is a triumphal arch, the
symbol of Berlin. Located on the Pariser Platz,
it is the only remaining one of the series of
gates through which one entered Berlin. It
constitutes the monumental termination of
Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of
linden trees which led directly to the royal
residence. It was commissioned by Friedrich
Wilhelm II as a sign of peace and built by Karl
Gotthard Langhans from 1788 to 1791.
The Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve
Greek Doric columns, six on each side. This
allows for five roadways, although originally
ordinary citizens were only allowed to use the outer two. Above the gate is the Quadriga,
consisting of the goddess of peace, driving a four-horse chariot in triumph. The gate stands 26
meters high, 65,5 meters wide and 11 meters thick.
HESSEN - RÜDESHEIM
Seilbahn
In order to do justice to the numerous
visitors who wanted to see the
Niederwalddenkmal in Rüdesheim, a rack
railway was built in 1884. This was the
forerunner of today's cable-car, which
transported the visitors through the
vineyards to the monument.
The rack railway was replaced by the
cable-car in 1954. Since then, more than
20 million people from all over the world
have glided in 2-person cars over the vines
on their way to the Niederwald Monument.
Cable Car Fact Sheet
- "Einseil-Umlaufbahn"
- 100 halfclosed cabs
- Difference in height 203 m
- Distance covered length 1400 m
- Travel time 10 minutes
- 600 persons in each direction per hour
HESSEN - RÜDESHEIM
Niederwald Monument
The Niederwald Monument was built in the
years from 1877 to 1883. The 38 m high
monument was meant to commemorate the
Franco-German War of 1870-1871 and the reestablishment of the German Empire.
It is located above the city of Rüdesheim in the
federal state of Hessen and can be regarded as
the landmark of the region. The 32 meters tall
statue can be seen from quite a distance.
Each year thousands of tourists as well as
locals pilgrimage to the Germania in order to
commemorate the victims of the Thirty Years’
War.
The central figure of the monument is the 10.5 meters high and 32 tons heavy “Germania”. In
her right hand she is proudly holding the recovered crown of the emperor, with her left she
leans self-confidentially on the sword of the empire.
NIEDERSACHSEN - LEER - BORKUM
Nordseebad Borkum
Borkum is an island in the Leer District in Lower
Saxony, northwestern Germany. It has an area
of about 30.6 km² and a population of about
5.587. Borkum is bordered to the west by the
Westerems strait (which forms the border with
the Netherlands), to the east by the Osterems
strait, to the north by the North Sea, and to the
south by the Wadden Sea. It is the
westernmost of the East Frisian Islands in the
North Sea, due north of the Dutch province of
Groningen.
Borkum formed from two islands which were
still parted by a flow of shallow water in 1863.
The seam between the former eastern and western parts is called Tüskendör ("through in
between").
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN KÖNIGSWINTER
Schloss Drachenburg
The Castle Drachenburg is a romantic castle
surrounded by the wonderful nature of the
Siebengebirge, which is definitely worth seeing.
Built between 1882 and 1884 by Stephan
Sarter, a wealthy stock broker known as the
“Baron of Sarter”, the castle is an imposing
work of art from the period of promoterism, the
architecture and design of which puts visitors
into times long past.
The castle was heavily damaged during the 2nd
World War and in the post-war period, so that in
the 1960s it was empty and about to fall into decay. The "Northrhine-Westfalia Institution for
the Maintenance of Nature Protection, Homeland and Culture" has been renovating the castle,
which is classified as a historical monument.
A visit to Castle Drachenburg connects the cultural incentives of castle and park, museum and
history with the intensive experience of free nature.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN KÖNIGSWINTER
Drachenfelsbahn
The Drachenfels (“Dragon's Rock”) is a
mountain (321 m) in the Siebengebirge
mountain range near Bonn. One German
legend recounts, that Siegfried – the hero of the
Nibelungenlied – killed a dragon (German:
Drachen) living in a cave in the mountain. After
taking a bath in its blood, he became
invulnerable.
The Drachenfels Railway or Drachenfelsbahn
runs from Königswinter to the summit of the
Drachenfels mountain at an altitude of 289
m.The rack railway is 1.5 km long and manages
an elevation gain of 220 m at a maximum
gradient of 22%.
The line opened with steam traction, on July 13, 1883 and was converted to electric traction in
1953. With a fresh outfit and a modernized station, the “Bergbahnen im Siebengebirge AG”
have been given a new look, and one of the four remaining German cog railways will continue
to be in service in the Rhineland.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - WUPPERTAL
Zoo Wuppertal
Over 5.000 animals of approximately 500
different kinds from all continents live in the
Wuppertaler zoo.
The animal ranges, houses and outdoor
installations are incorporated into the landscape
which is shaped by old tree existence and give
to the zoo its own note. In the modern animal
residendes visitors can find apes, bears,
elephants and reptiles.
The Zoo Wuppertal possesses also a music
shell, which is frequently used in the summer
months for garden concerts.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - AACHEN
Aachener Dom
The Aachen Cathedral, frequently referred to as
the "Imperial Cathedral" of Aachen, is the oldest
cathedral in northern Europe. Charlemagne
began the construction of the Palatine Chapel
in 786. When he died in 814, he was buried in
his own cathedral, and his bones are still
preserved in a special shrine.
The cathedral obtained its present shape in the
course of more than a millennium. The core of
the Aachen cathedral is the Palatine Chapel;
being surprisingly small in comparison to the
later additions, at the time of its construction it
was the largest dome north of the Alps. For 600
years, from 936 to 1531, the Aachen cathedral
was the church of coronation for 30 kings of the Holy Roman Empire.
In order to bear the enormous flow of pilgrims in the Gothic period a choir hall was built: a twopart Capella vitrea (glass chapel) which was consecrated on the 600th anniversary of
Charlemagne's death. Ever since, the magnificent architecture of the "glass house" of Aachen
has never stopped being admired. In 1978, it was one of the first 12 sites to make the entry
into the UNESCO list of world heritage.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - KÖLN
Eau de Cologne
It is told that in 1792 a Carthusian monk
presented the young Muelhens couple with a
valuable wedding gift. It was a secret formula
for the production of an "aqua mirabilis", later
called Eau de Cologne. Wilhelm Muelhens
soon realised the value of this formula and
founded a company for the production of Eau
de Cologne at Glockengasse, where the
original building can still be found today.
Number 4711 was the house number that was
given to the factory at Glockengasse during
French occupation of the Rhineland in the early
19th century. The picture of the French military
officer, painting the house number 4711 on the
facade while sitting on his horse, is a product of advertising. A piece of tapestry which had
been ordered and made in the 1920s, served as a model. The scenic version of it spread
widely in the 1950s and the 1960s.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - KÖLN
Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria
The Cologne Cathedral is one of the bestknown architectural monuments in Germany
and is Cologne's most famous landmark.
Construction of the gothic church began in
1248 and took more than 600 years to
complete - it was finally finished in 1880. At its
completion, the Cologne cathedral was the
world's tallest building, and it still features the
largest church facade in the world.
The two towers are 157m tall, the cathedral is
144m long and 86m wide. The cathedral is
dedicated to Saints Peter and Mary.
It is possible to climb a spiral staircase to a
viewing platform about 98 metres above the
ground. This climb covers over 500 steps.
In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important
sites. In 2005 Pope Benedict XVI visited the cathedral as part of his apostolic visit to Germany
as part of World Youth Day 2005 festivities.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - LAHNSTEIN
Burg Lahneck
Burg Lahneck is a 13th century castle on the
banks of the Rhine, at Lahnstein near Koblenz.
The castle is well-known by the death of Idilia
Dubb in June 1851. In her holidays the 17 year
old girl mounted the high tower of castle
Lahneck, when suddenly the wooden stairs
collapsed behind her. Nobody heard her crying
and calling on the point of the tower, because it
was surrounded with an insurmountable wall 3
meters high. She was only found after years in
1860, her diary hidden in the walls some weeks
later. The last sentences in her diary: All I know
is that there is no hope for me. My death is
certain. ... Father in heaven, have mercy on my
soul (drawn down with two hearts).
Today, the castle grounds and some of the richly furnished historical rooms are open to
visitors.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - NÜRBURG
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring known as simply "the Ring" by
motorsports enthusiasts, is a famous race track
in Germany.
It features several track configurations. Only the
shorter, modern 1980s version called "GPStrecke" is currently used by major and
international racing events. Michael
Schumacher set the lap record on this 5.148
kilometres long track at 1'29.468 (Ferrari,
2004).
However, the older, much longer version of the
Ring called the Nordschleife ("Northern Loop"),
built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains, is
still in use; nicknamed "The Green Hell" (Grüne Hölle) by Jackie Stewart, it is widely
considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world.
Because of its demanding layout, the Nordschleife is used by many auto manufacturers as a
proving ground for car prototypes. Some of the most notable corporate "Ring Rats" are BMW,
Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Nissan, Lexus and General Motors.
Since 1985 the Nürburgring has also hosted the "Rock am Ring", Germany's biggest Rock
Festival, attracting close to 100,000 rock fans each year.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - SAARBURG
Saarburg waterfall
The city of Saarburg, known for its Medieval
character, its bell foundry and its wine, is
situated in the hilly landscape of the Saar River
Valley. Its natural and historical attractions
impress many guests year after year.
The waterfall on the Leukbach is the main
attraction of the town today. The Leukbach
flows through the middle of the city and plunges
over a 20-meter cliff before it empties into the
Saar River.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - SAARBURG
Saarburg castle
The lively history of the city of Saarburg and its
castle began in 964 A.D. with the purchase of
mount "Churbelun" by Count Siegfried von
Luxemburg.
Of all the german castles built upon hills, the
Saarburg (burg=castle) is one of the oldest and
loveliest. Its circular fortification, 137 meters
long and up to 50 meters wide, was surrounded
by 8-meter high walls. Because of its excellent
topographical location - on a hilltop, surrounded
by a river and ponds - not many invaders were
successful in conquoring the Saarburg. The
fortress offers a wonderful view of the city and
of the Saar River Valley.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - KONZ
Rathaus & Konzer Doktor
The city of Konz couches on the confluence of
Saar and Mosel and is the biggest wine
producing community in the Mosel Saar Ruwer
agricultural area. Konz is an ideal starting point
for trips in the at trips at the place where
Germany, France and Luxemburg meet.
The town hall on the market place town dates
from the 1950's and remembers the baroque
atmosphere of the Electorate in its details.
The 'Konzer Doktor' statue by sculptor Willi
Hahn represents the characters from Konz' folk
tales, such as the 'Fotschelgeist' or the 'Breesterfrauchen'. The main character in this
sandstone sculpture, however, is the historical figure of the local teacher Georg Canaris
(1740-1819), whose teaching methods apparently gave the students in Konz such a big lead
on those of other villages, so that he earned the nicknames 'Konzer Doktor'.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - COCHEM
Reichsburg
Cochem is probably the finest looking castle
and scene directly on the banks of the Mosel
river. The castle enjoys a commanding view
over the Mosel and the town of Cochem.
However even with the commanding view and
the steep access to the castle, history has not
been kind to the original. It was seized by the
German emperor in 1151 and in 1294 was
mortgaged to the archbishop of Trier.
The square tower visible at the center of the
castle is the keep that served as a last gasp
refuge for its residents when the battle created
a serious threat of breach by the enemy. This
did in fact happen in 1689 when King Louis XIV of France had the castle totally destroyed. It
remained a ruin for about 200 years.
It was completely rebuilt by a Berlin merchant, Louise Ravene, according to the original plans.
So, while the structure may not be the original, the plans are true to the original. It was sold by
force to the German government in 1942 and since 1978 has been the property of the town of
Cochem.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - COCHEM
Senfmühle
This mustard mill was built in 1810 and ranks
among the oldest in Europe. The original
location of the mill is unknown, but records
show that it was restored and operated in
Belgium in 1931 and after that eventually
moved to the Netherlands. In 1997, this
technical monument - however in a very bad
condition - was acquired by its current owner
Mr. Wolfgang Steffens, who meticulously
overhauled and refurbished it.
The grinding process is carried out by
millstones weighing 525 kg. Using the coldgrind method, the 200-year-old mustard mill is
now back into operation and produces awardwinning mustard specialities, based on recipes handed over through generations. The goal is
to manufacture mustard such as it was made in the year of construction of the mustard mill,
with all the valuable content of the whole mustard seed and with all the ethereal oils and
natural substances completely preserved.
The daily production is just 360 kg.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - MANDERSCHEID
Niederburg
Manderscheid, a charmingly situated village in
the Lieser valley, is known for its two castles:
Oberburg (the upper castle) and Niederburg
(the lower castle).
The Manderscheid family was the most
powerful family in the Eifel region of Germany
for a considerable period of time in the 15th
century, and until today the imposing ruins
remind the visitor of the glory of bygone times
when the counts of Manderscheid had their
residence here.
Niederburg Castle was probably built in the
12th century, shortly after Oberburg Castle had been built. By 1688 at the latest, Niederburg
Castle and Oberburg Castle were destroyed. After being in the possession of France and then
of Prussia both castles became administered by the Castles Administration of RhinelandPalatinate. Niederburg Castle was restored in the late 70's and Oberburg Castle in the early
90's.
Niederburg Castle consists of more remnants than Oberburg Castle. It can be seen from far
away because of its three-storey keep of the 12th century, having a trapezium shape.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - NEUMAGEN-DHRON
Weinschiff
The quiet little wine-town Neumagen-Dhron is a
close-knit community with a real “village feel”
and a friendly atmosphere that puts the visitor
completely at ease. It claims to be the oldest
wine village in Germany – and can prove it with
the third-century stone carving of a wine-ship.
The Neumagen Wineship dating from 205 A.D.
was discovered, along with other Roman
remains, in the village at the end of the 19th
century. The sculpture is considered to be a
part of a grave monument erected to the
memory of a wealthy Roman wine trader and it
bears witness to nearly 1800 years of wine
making in this area.
The original sculpture can be found in the State Museum in Trier.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - ST. GOAR
Schloss Rheinfels
The Rheinfels castle was the most powerful
fortress along the Middle Rhine. During the
centuries it was the scene of numerous bloody
sieges and violent changes of ownership. Only
a few years after construction started in 1245 it
was able to proof it was invincible: 8000 men
on foot and 1000 knights supported by 50 ships
attempted to capture the castle, but they gave
up after one year and 14 weeks without making
any progress.
Only Napoleon took possession of the castle
without a fight in 1796. He had the fortifications
and the castle blown up with the exception of a
few remains. About one third of the castle has
survived and now houses a museum, a restaurant, and a hotel. The castle belongs to the town
of St. Goar since 1925.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - ST. GOAR
Loreley
The Loreley is a rock in the Rhine near St.
Goarshausen, which soars some 120 meters
above the water line. It marks the narrowest
part of the river between Switzerland and the
North Sea.
The name comes from the old German words
"lureln" (Rhine dialect for "murmuring") and
"ley" (rock). The translation of the name would
therefore be: "murmur rock" or "murmuring
rock". The heavy currents, and a small waterfall
in the area (still visible in the early 19th century)
created a murmuring sound, and this combined
with the special echo the rock produces which
acted as a sort of amplifier, then gave name to the rock itself.
The rock is associated with several legendary tales originating in German folklore. It appears
in many forms, but is best known through a poem by Heinrich Heine that begins "Ich weiss
nicht was soll es bedeuten" ("I don't know what to make of it"). In the most common form of the
story, the Loreley is a maiden who threw herself into the Rhine in despair over a faithless
lover, and became a nixe whose voice lured fishermen to destruction.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - KOBLENZ
Festung Ehrenbreitstein
Festung Ehrenbreitstein is a fortress on the
same-named mountain on the right side of the
Rhine opposite to the town of Koblenz in the
Rhineland-Palatinate.
Ehrenbreitstein is one of the largest and most
impressive of the 19th century fortresses.
Although there is nothing left of the original
medieval castle with the earliest pentagonal
keep on the Rhine, the ground and during the
centuries was added to and extended, growing
slowly into a massive fortress complex. Time
and again, when danger threatened, the
fortress served as a sanctuary for troubled
rulers or for the holy relics of Treves, including the Holy Coat.
The fortress today is home to the administration offices of the body that looks after the castles
and antiquities of the Rhineland Palatinate, as well as the regional museum of Coblence with
its collection on the history of technology, a youth hostel, restaurants, and local authority
offices.
RHEINLAND-PFALZ - KOBLENZ
Deutsches Eck
The city of Koblenz at the confluence of the
Mosel and the Rhine, from which it derives its'
name ("Confluentes"» Koblenz).
The point where the two rivers meet is known
as "Deutsches Eck" ("German Corner"). The
site is dominated by a giant 14 meters high
equestrian sculptural monument of Kaiser
Wilhelm I, who ruled in Koblenz as the Prussian
Military governor from 1850-1857, and is a local
hero.
Erected in 1897, the size of the monument is
overwhelming. It was partially destroyed during
the bombing in April 1944, but finally reconstructed in 1993. There are stairs leading up to the
top of the monument, where you have a great view of the confluence of the 2 rivers.
The flags that surround the tip of land represent the 16 different German states known as
Laender, and at the outer tip you wil find the European Community flag as well as the German
and American flags, a symbol of peace between the countries today.
SAARLAND
Saarschleife
Saarland is one of the 16 states of Germany,
named after the Saar River which runs through
the state from the south to the northwest.
Forest-lovers don't have far to go in the
Saarland - one third of the land area of the
Saarland is covered by forest, one of highest
percentages in Germany.
Saarschleife is a quite remarkable place along
the rivers course. Here, the Saar gradually
carved its way through the mountains
throughout the ages, creating a loop of 180
degrees. The forest trails on the surrounding
hills provide a fantastic, breathtaking panorama of the "Saarschleife" horseshoe bend.
THURINGIA - ARNSTADT
Veste Wachsenburg
The Wachsenburg Fortress is one of the three
legendary castles "Drei Gleichen". Gleichen is
the name of two groups of castles in Germany,
thus named from their resemblance to each
other.
Mentioned for the first time in the 10th century
the Fortress became it's today's appearance in
the Renaissance period (16th century). It was
built to protect the Arnstadt area.
After the year of 1710, the castle was
constructed as a fortress. In the yard of the
fortress, there is a well which is 100 meters
deep.The castle is still inhabited and contains a collection of weapons and pictures belonging
to its owner, the duke of-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose family obtained possession of it in 1368.
THURINGIA - BAD FRANKENHAUSEN
Kyffhäuser
The Kyffhäuser is a mountain located at the
border of Thuringia. The mountain has
significance in German traditional myth as the
resting place of Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich
Barbarossa, a charismatic leader who died in
1190 while on a crusade.
Located in the middle of the Kyffhäuser
Mountains, there are ruins still to be seen for
visitors of the 11th century residence
Kyffhausen, one of the largest and strongest
medieval fortress constructions in Germany.
Especially impressive however is the imposing
Kyffhäuser Memorial (1890-1896) with its
equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm the First an the statue of Barbarossa hewed out of
stone.
According to legend, Barbarossa is not in fact dead, but sleeps in a hidden chamber
underneath the Kyffhäuser mountain, sitting at a stone table. As in the similar legend of King
Arthur, Barbarossa supposedly awaits his country's hour of greatest need, when he will
emerge once again from under the mountain.
THURINGIA - ERFURT
Dom und Severikirche
Erfurt’s landmark is the unique ensemble
created by the combined effect of the
Mariendom (Cathedral of The Blessed Virgin
Mary) together with the Severikirche (St.
Severus Church). These two magnificent
examples of German Gothic architecture at its
best majestically dominate the cityscape. The
"Gloriosa" (1497), the "Queen of Bells", has
been praised for centuries throughout Europe
for its magnificent resonance.
Inside the cathedral there is an elaborate
Gothic chancel with a series of 13 coloured
stained-glass windows which are almost 13
meters high and are among the greatest works of medieval stained-glass art. The cathedral
contains many noteworthy art treasures that have been created throughout the various
centuries. A wide and impressive open-air stairway leads up from the market square to the
cathedral itself and to the Church of St. Severus (1278 - 1400), which contains the
sarcophagus of St. Severus (1363).