How to Identify the German 2 Reichsmark Garrison Church Commemorative
Recognize the 1933 Potsdam Garrison Church 2 Reichsmark by its church-tower obverse, eagle reverse, silver content and mint mark.
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Start with the church-tower obverse. The defining feature is the tall, detailed tower of the Potsdam Garrison Church with the church name in the legend and the year 1933. If your coin shows this Baroque tower rather than a portrait or a plain design, you are looking at the Garrison Church commemorative type.
Confirm the denomination on the reverse. The other side carries the German eagle, the legend DEUTSCHES REICH, and the value. For this coin it must read 2 REICHSMARK; a coin reading 5 REICHSMARK is the larger companion piece with the same design. The 2 Reichsmark is noticeably smaller and lighter, so size and weight are a quick cross-check between the two.
Check for the date variety and the mint mark. Look for whether the added inscription "21. MÄRZ 1933" is present, since catalogues separate the dated and undated varieties. Then find the single mint letter on the reverse — A (Berlin), D (Munich), E (Muldenhütten), F (Stuttgart), G (Karlsruhe) or J (Hamburg) — which pins the coin to a specific mint and can affect its scarcity.
Verify metal and physical characteristics. The genuine coin is silver with a reeded edge and the sharp, even relief of a period machine strike. Weighing and measuring the piece and comparing against published specifications for the type is a reliable check, because off-weight or oversized examples, or a plain (non-reeded) edge, are warning signs.
Watch for reproductions and altered coins. This is a historically popular type that has been copied, and some fakes are cast rather than struck. Be cautious of soft or mushy detail, seams on the edge, incorrect weight, or a coin that looks artificially aged. For any higher-value example, seek third-party authentication and compare the church tower, eagle, lettering and mint mark against images of a confirmed genuine coin of the same variety.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to identify this coin?
Look for the Potsdam Garrison Church tower and the year 1933 on one side, and the eagle with DEUTSCHES REICH and the value 2 REICHSMARK on the other. Together these confirm the type.
How do I tell the 2 Reichsmark from the 5 Reichsmark Garrison Church coin?
They share the church design, but check the reverse value. This one reads 2 REICHSMARK and is smaller and lighter; the 5 REICHSMARK version is larger and heavier.
Where is the mint mark and why does it matter?
The mint mark is a single letter on the reverse (A, D, E, F, G or J) identifying which German mint struck the coin. Some mint marks are scarcer than others, which affects collector value.
How can I spot a fake?
Check that it is silver, correctly sized and weighted, and has a reeded edge with crisp, struck detail. Cast seams, soft lettering, wrong weight or a plain edge suggest a reproduction; authenticate valuable examples.