Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/29/2009

Question
Hi,
I am wondering how much the 50 pfennig coin from 1950 described below is worth if it has the "G" mint mark.

Hello, Heather, following the second world war, the 3 western "zones" of Germany -- the English, U.S. and Frence, eventually formed together to make up the Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany), in 1949.  So the 1950 pfennig (penny), was one of their first coins (one year after the very first).  Quite a few were made though, so that they really have no great collector value (your's is a 50 pfennig or 1/2 mark).  Only if the coin is mintmark "G" (under the "50") is it of particular value, as very few of those were struck.  The set probably has some value as used cufflinks and money clips.  With the coming of the Euro, the Mark was withdrawn from circulation, but the German Bundesbank has guaranteed old West German currency (I think even the coinage), thus as coins the pieces would only have value if taken to a German Bundesbank and converted at about 1:2 into Euro (i.e., your 4 would get you 2 Euro, a bit over $2.  Jim Lawniczak  

Answer
Hi Gary,
There are two varieties for the 50 pfennig from 1950, with a G mint mark.
The rare variety would have the legend "BANK DEUTSCHER LANDER" surrounding the "50". The values for this type range from $350 for a decent example to $750+ for one in mint condition. There were only 30,000 coins made of this variety.
The common variety will have the legend "BUNDERSREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND" surrounding the "50". There were over 66 million coins of this type made. As such, the value ranges from about a dollar up to $10 for a perfect coin.
Thanks for the question! =)