As part of its Christmas series, the German government has decided to mint a €25 collector coin entitled “Erzgebirge Schwibbogen”, which is scheduled for issue on 23 November 2023.

The Christmas series, launched in 2021, is dedicated to one of the most important Christian celebrations that is deeply rooted in Germany’s culture and customs. The Schwibbogen from the Erzgebirge region of Germany is a decorative Christmas candle arch, first crafted in the 18th century and with an original use in the mining tradition. Nowadays it is regarded as a key fixture in the traditional Erzgebirge Christmas and has become famous far beyond the Erzgebirge region, even internationally.

The coin is made of fine silver (Ag 999) and will be plate-shaped (meaning here that the picture side features a concave curvature to make the motif appear more three-dimensional). The coin has a diameter of 30 mm, weighs 22 g and will be available both in mint condition and with a proof-like finish. The mint condition coins will be brought into circulation at their face value (€25). The mint condition coins will be brought into circulation at their face value (€25). The collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be higher than their face value and will be issue by the Münze Deutschland (Germany’s official sales agency for collector coins). 

The coin was designed by the artist Reinhard Eiber, who is based in Feucht (near Nuremberg), Germany.

The main element of the picture side is a wooden Schwibbogen dating from 1925; the arch depicts a homely scene where preparations for Christmas Eve are under way. The emblem of the two miners with Saxon electoral swords plus hammers references the Schwibbogen’s use in a mining context. The design stands out as a highly well-balanced whole composed of the characteristic features of a Schwibbogen, ringed by the sans serif font flanking the mining emblem that is positioned in the lower central part of the coin face.

The reverse features an eagle framed by the words “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND”, the value and denomination, the letter “G” for the State Mint of Baden-Württemberg in Karlsruhe, the year 2023, and the twelve stars of Europe.

The edge of the coin is smooth and has no structure.