Danzig Cross

[WAR LORD]

The terminology of free City and Free State are but one and the same. In German: Freie Stadt Danzig; Danzig issued it own passport, stamps that were recognised by the International Postal Union. Its promotions were on Danzig documents. It was self governing. It also had its own Banking and Finance sector. Until 1923, the Free City of Danzig used the German papiermark but also issued several local 'emergency notes'. Inflation during 1922–23 averaged roughly 2440% per month. In July 1923 it was announced that a new and Independent currency the Gulden was being established with the approval of the League of Nations finance committee to replace the German mark. Between 1923 and 1939 currency was the Gulden which was divided into 100 Pfennige. The Gulden was introduced at a value of 25 Gulden = 1 Pound Sterling. The first Danzig Gulden banknotes were issued by the Danzig Central Finance Department and dated 22nd October 1923 with a second issue dated the 1st November 1923. Denominations for both series included 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50-pfennige notes, as well as 1, 2, and 5 Gulden. In addition, the first issue contained 10 and 25- Gulden notes, and the second issue contained 50 and 100-Gulden notes. The Bank of Danzig was capitalized with £300,000 on the 5th February 1924 and officially opened on the 17th March 1924. The Bank of Danzig issued four series of Gulden 1924, 1928–30, 1931–32, and 1937–38 with an initial issue date of the 10th February 1924.

[matthew4108]

Great, your copy and paste skills are as good as ever. I don't even want to think what life would be like without wikipedia.

You ever seen a Olympic team from Free City of Danzig, Chris? How about a consulate of Danzig? Speaking about Post, why would an independent state have a foreign Postal System? And so on and so forth. It was about as free of a state as Saar Basin under Western Occupation.

You like to quote wikipedia but somehow miss the second paragraph of its "Free City of Danzig" entry. I think by now, nearly everyone knows you're not exactly a footnote type of guy but I highly recommend some additional reading elsewhere. Maybe a quick museum visit too- Free City of Danzig museum is a good start. Ask for Mirek, wonderful and knowledgeable fellow.

[WAR LORD]

Dear Mat thank you I take this as a complement, "Great, your copy and paste skills are as good as ever". I have to bow to your superial knowledge on the matter.

[matthew4108]

It's a perishable skill apparently. Kinda like the things we collect- one day you have an SA dagger, the next day it's gone and you got nothing to show for it

[WAR LORD]

What is this? What is the ribbon. Not for a Danzig Cross 2nd class.

[matthew4108]

Probably something the faker had laying around to marry with a fake cross. My bet would be something not uncommon in Russian or British medals field but it could be anything really.

[Raz]

What a god awful looking cross, perhaps a shed special from Poland.

My punt the ribbon is for a 1956 Polish - Medal for Your Liberty and Ours
(Medal Za Wasza Wolnosc i Nasza)

[WAR LORD]

Thank you. Yes it is a bit off the wall. Sent to me to have as a fake, the ribbon was interesting I could not find it. This is possibly a Souval piece. Came out of a 50's collection. As Danzig is now in Poland, it could have emanated from there.

[matthew4108]

It's not a Souval but a cast off of full crown, incuse marked Hulse piece with it's marker mark filled off.

[WAR LORD]

Another to view, Danzig Cross 1st Class

[matthew4108]

Interesting badge.

[WAR LORD]

A very interesting cross. Who was the maker?

[matthew4108]

According to this place we know of only one. Kinda narrows it down, doesn't it?

[WAR LORD]

The Cross shown in the blog is different to the one posted here. The ribbon querry has been resolved: - Spanish - Red Military Merit Cross period 1930's.

Picture shows Spanish - Red Military Merit Cross with Danzig Cross 2nd Class.

[matthew4108]

The Cross shown in the blog is different to the one posted here.

What's different about the cross?