Friedensgeld

Friedensgeld, literally translated as peace money, is a term used in German-speaking regions to describe various monetary issues associated with peace after conflict or as tokens of reconciliation. It is not the official name of a single currency or monetary system, but rather a descriptive label applied to a range of distinct issues.

Historically, Friedensgeld has appeared in different contexts, including short-lived emergency issues, commemorative coins, and regional tokens issued by municipalities, states, or private issuers during peacetime or transitional periods following wars. The purpose and circulation of these issues varied: some were meant for general use, while others served mainly as memorials or collectors’ items. Because the issues differ in origin, denomination, and legal status, each Friedensgeld item has its own historical context and monetary characteristics.

In numismatic practice, Friedensgeld is used to categorize and study artifacts that share a peace-oriented theme rather than a common monetary framework. Catalogs, museums, and scholarly works distinguish Friedensgeld from standard national currencies, not only by design but also by issuer, period, and circulation conditions. As a result, the term covers a spectrum of artifacts rather than a cohesive, uniform issue.

Because Friedensgeld denotes a concept rather than a single artifact, researchers and collectors approach each item individually, documenting its issuing authority, purpose, and postwar context. See also commemorative coins, emergency money, and local or Notgeld issues for related phenomena in war- and postwar monetary history.