Obverse. Photo © HISTORIA-HAMBURG.de
  • 20 Mark 1989, KM# 127, Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR), 500th Anniversary of Birth of Thomas Müntzer, Thomas Müntzer
  • 20 Mark 1989, KM# 127, Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR), 500th Anniversary of Birth of Thomas Müntzer, Thomas Müntzer
Description

Thomas Müntzer (1489–1525) was a German preacher and radical theologian of the early Reformation whose opposition to both Luther and the Roman Catholic Church led to his open defiance of late-feudal authority in central Germany. Müntzer was foremost amongst those reformers who took issue with Luther’s compromises with feudal authority. He became a leader of the German peasant and plebeian uprising of 1525 commonly known as the German Peasants' War. He was captured after the battle of Frankenhausen, and was tortured and executed.

Obverse

Depicts a national emblem of the German Democratic Republic (DDR), surrounded by the country name (above), denomination and date (below). Mintmark of the Berlin State Mint (A) is between country name and the emblem.

The national emblem of the German Democratic Republic featured a hammer and a compass (drawing tool), surrounded by a ring of rye. The hammer represented the workers in the factories. The compass represented the intelligentsia, and the ring of rye the farmers.

DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK
A
1989 20 MARK

Reverse

Depicts collared head of Thomas Müntzer, left.

Engravers: Günter Gnauck, Bernd Göbel

• 1489 1525 •
THOMAS MÜNTZER
GG

Edge

20 MARK * 20 MARK * 20 MARK *

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.625
Weight 20.9 g
Diameter 33 mm
Thickness 3.12 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Berlin State Mint (A)

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