German East Africa Coins
The monetary history of German East Africa is fascinating and reflects the political and economic changes in the region. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, this German colony experienced various monetary systems that left a unique numismatic legacy.
Coins used in German East Africa
Initially, the rupee was the official currency of German East Africa, divided into 100 heller. In 1890, the first colony-specific coins were minted, including copper and silver pieces. The most emblematic coin was the silver rupee, which showed the German imperial eagle on the obverse and the face value on the reverse. During World War I, emergency coins made of brass were issued due to the shortage of precious metals.
Numismatic milestones
A numismatic highlight in the region was the issuance of banknotes by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank starting in 1905. These banknotes, denominated in rupees, featured elaborate designs with local motifs and German imperial symbols. Following Germany's defeat in World War I, the East African pound replaced the rupee in 1920, marking the end of the German monetary era in the region. German East African coins and banknotes are now highly coveted pieces by collectors, due to their rarity and historical significance.
If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection from this list. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.
German East Africa is a country that does not exist today. It is now part of the Germany coins.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable German East Africa coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Coin Catalog
1 pesa
1 rupie
1/4 rupie
1/2 rupie
2 rupien
1/2 heller
1 heller
1/4 rupie
1/2 rupie
1 rupie
5 heller
10 heller
5 heller
5 heller
5 heller
20 heller
20 heller
15 rupien
15 rupien
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of German East Africa
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