As part of its Christmas series, the German government has decided to mint a €25 collector coin entitled “Advent wreath”, to be issued at 21 November 2024.

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 Christmas tradition of the Advent wreath is linked with the symbolism of candlelight growing brighter and brighter to illustrate the approaching arrival of the Son of God as the “Light of the World”. The very first Advent wreath was hung in 1839 by the theologian and educator Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881) in Hamburg, at the “Rauhes Haus”, a school for neglected and orphaned children. It consisted of a cartwheel with 24 candles and was meant as a way of shortening the wait until Christmas for the children. In Germany, the Advent wreath in simplified form (an evergreen wreath with four candles) is now a common sight, and regional variants exist.

The coin is made of fine silver (Ag 999) and will be plate-shaped (meaning 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 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 Victor Huster, who is based in Baden-Baden, Germany.

The picture side features a multi-faceted interpretation of the Advent wreath theme, incorporating its development over time. It brilliantly combines the elements of Johann Hinrich Wichern’s Advent wreath with the configuration we are familiar with today. The concentric arrangement makes use of the entire circular face of the coin and consists of the fir wreath, the cartwheel from the original iteration and the four candles. The design transposes Johann Hinrich Wichern’s idea of the light growing brighter as Christmas approaches. Above the wreath sits a comet in the firmament, linking the custom of the Advent wreath in the run-up to Christmas with the Star of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. With its complex composition, the design is bold and self-assured in its concept.

The reverse features an eagle, the words “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND”, the value and denomination, the letter “F” for the State Mint of Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart, the year 2024, and the twelve stars of Europe.

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