Germany

Third Reich (1933-1945)

Germany under the Third Reich (1933–1945) was governed by a totalitarian regime following the rise of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist Party. The period was marked by centralized control, aggressive expansionism, and profound political and social transformation, culminating in World War II and the eventual defeat & destruction of Nazi Germany.

Postage stamps issued during this era were heavily shaped by state ideology and propaganda. Designs prominently featured national symbols, political imagery, and portraits of leadership, alongside themes emphasizing unity, strength, war and cultural heritage. These stamps are notable for their bold, often austere aesthetic and their role as instruments of visual messaging within the regime.

The country used the Reichsmark = 100 Reichspfennig as its currency, continuing from earlier monetary reforms of the Weimar period.

1934 - German Third Reich 6 Reichspfennigs - Paul von Hindenburg - Black Green

First issued: Feb 19346 German ReichspfennigsPaul von Hindenburg Medallion SeriesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Karl Xavier GoetzSG: DE 497B Colnect Link
This definitive issue forms part of the “Reichspräsidenten” series depicting Germany’s heads of state, in this case Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the Weimar Republic from 1925. The issue emerged during the so-called “relative stabilization” phase of the late 1920s, when Germany had temporarily recovered from hyperinflation, yet remained deeply divided. By alternating between Hindenburg and his predecessor Friedrich Ebert across the series, the postal authorities subtly attempted to balance republican legitimacy with conservative reassurance. Hindenburg’s inclusion in a formal, medallion portrait format signaled continuity with Imperial Germany and appealed to nationalist sentiment, even as the democratic system struggled for acceptance.The same austere Hindenburg portrait was later reissued in the early 1930s, bridging the final years of the Weimar Republic and, with subtle modifications such as new watermarks, continuing into the early Third Reich—making it one of the clearest visual continuities across Germany’s political transition in this period.

1941 - German Third Reich 6 Reichpfennig - Adolf Hitler Bluish Violet

First issued: 01 Aug 19416 German ReichspfennigAdolf Hitler Chancellor DefinitivesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Richard KleinSG: DE 773 Colnect Link
Issued 1941–1944, this is a German Reich definitive featuring Adolf Hitler.The design is intentionally minimal: a single profile with no symbolic elements, replacing earlier state imagery. It was used across all denominations for everyday mail, making it one of the most widely circulated stamps of the period.Its significance lies in standardisation. The same portrait was repeated across the entire postal system, turning a routine definitive into a uniform expression of state authority.These stamps were printed in two different ways depending on value. Lower denominations like the 6 & 8 pfennig ones were typographed, while higher ones were engraved (intaglio)—so the same design can feel completely different under magnification or touch.They also exist in multiple paper types and shades, especially later in the war when materials were inconsistent. Subtle colour shifts and paper quality can indicate different printings under wartime constraints.

1941 - German Third Reich 6 Reichpfennig - Adolf Hitler Red Violet

First issued: 01 Aug 19416 German ReichspfennigAdolf Hitler Chancellor DefinitivesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Richard KleinSG: DE 773 Colnect Link

1941 - German Third Reich 8 Reichpfennig - Adolf Hitler Orange Red

First issued: 01 Aug 19418 German ReichspfennigAdolf Hitler Chancellor DefinitivesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Richard KleinSG: DE 774 Colnect Link

1942 - German Third Reich 12 Reichpfennigs - Adolf Hitler Red

First issued: Dec 194212 German ReichspfennigsAdolf Hitler Chancellor DefinitivesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Richard KleinSG: DE 776 Colnect Link

1942 - German Third Reich 12 Reichpfennigs - Adolf Hitler Carmine Brown

First issued: 01 Aug 194115 German ReichspfennigsAdolf Hitler Chancellor DefinitivesReichsdruckerei Berlin, Design by Richard KleinSG: DE 779 Colnect Link

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