Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 3/28/2010

Question
Hi, I came across a german coin or medal(not sure which it is) on a dresser left in the house my parents bought when i was little, i've always wondered what it was and i haven't been able to find it anywhere on the internet, so i was hoping u could tell me what it is and if it is worth anything: i can tell its made out of brass with maybe some bronze, it has the profile of a man that i learned is not hitler(not sure who it is), the symbol on the back is an ornate cross sitting on a ball and on the ball there are two lines, one is vertical up the middle and the other is horizontal through the middle, there is german wording going around the border of the front and back of the coin, on the front it says: der einer und fuhrer aller deutschen, on the back it says: das grossdeutsche reich ist erstanden, there are two years on the back on either side of the cross-ball symbol that read: 13,3,1938 and 29,9,1938, there is also some fine print on the side of the coin that reads: hauptmunzamt wien; if u don't know what it is either thats fine, but anything you do know would be much appreciated, thank you!

Answer
Hi Kelley,
I actually am familiar with the medal you have. It is a commemorative one, rather than a military medal. The wording tranlates to "The one and only leader of the Germans" on the front and "The German reich has risen" on the back. The inscription on the side, "hauptmunzamt wien" is the factory that produced the medals in Wien (Vienna), Austria.
The portrait on the front is indeed Adolph Hitler, though it is somewhat a younger looking portrait from the mid-1930's and may be harder to recognize compared to later pictures.
On the German market the medal is worth 100 to 125 euros in excellent condition (about $135 to $170 US). The value on the American market is much lower. If I had it at one of my auction I would expect $50 to $75 from American bidders and the high end of the range only from international bidders.
Thanks for the question! =)