Germany: Latest Christmas Silver Commemorative Coin Highlights Traditional Wichern Wreath

The fourth motif in the Christmas series is dedicated to the glowing wreath of lights. Found in practically every household in Germany during the festive season, the hanging or setting up an Advent wreath just before Christmas is a relatively new custom. However, the tradition goes back to the pious pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), who is credited with having placed the first Advent wreath in a Hamburg educational institution in 1839. The custom started In the Rauhe Haus, where children in need of protection were cared for and where Wichern held a daily service from December the 1st to the 24th. At each service, a candle was lit on a wagon wheel until all the candles were brightly lit on Christmas Eve. The candles for Sundays were coloured white, and the candles for all other days were red. This wreath is still known today as the Wichern wreath. From this origin, the tradition of the Advent wreath developed initially in Protestant communities, but by the beginning of the 20th century it was widespread in churches and private homes. The first Advent wreath was ultimately displayed in a Catholic church in Cologne in 1925, followed by a church in Munich in 1930. The number of candles was gradually reduced to four, and since around 1860 an evergreen wreath with fir branches has been preferred. Regional variants include wooden hoops with turned figures, for example in the Ore Mountains along the Czech–German border.

Designed by the artist Victor Huster from Baden-Baden, his interpretation of the theme combines the elements of the Wichern wreath together with the appearance many are used to seeing today. The entire coin's circle is used, the concentric arrangement includes the fir wreath, the original wagon wheel and four candles. Wichern's idea that the light increases until Christmas is indicated by the fact that three candles have already been lighted. The comet above the wreath creates a connection to the Star of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. The text surrounding the primary design A·D·V·E·N·T·S·K·R·A·N·Z (advent wreath) includes dots separating each letter. The surface is slightly concaved to enhance the relief of the design. The reverse side depicts a stylised eagle which is centred along with the F mintmark denoting the Stuttgart Mint which is placed below the eagle and to the right. The eagle is surrounded with twelve five-pointed stars representing the European Union. The text BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND - 2024 is placed along the coin’s edge and the denomination of 25 EURO is shown below the eagle. 

Available from the 21st November, the 25 Euro proof edition collector's coin is supplied in a presentation folder which can also be given as a Christmas card. The coin’s capsule is specially designed to both protect the collector coin and to be placed on Christmas trees as a decorative ornament. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of Munze Deutschland.