Lot #633: Germany 1990s Medal - "F.D.P. Die Stabile Wahring" - Karl Geldner "Jhr. Abgeordneter im Bundestag" - Free Democratic Party (FDP)

The Obverse of this token shows Karl Geldner (1927–2017) was a significant figure in the German "Freie Demokratische Partei" (Free Democratic Party, or FDP). . He was a master baker by trade and served as a Member of the Bundestag (MdB) representing the electoral district of Ansbach. The lettering "Jhr. Abgeordneter im Bundestag" indicates his status as a long-term representative (he served from 1965 to 1969 and again from 1970 to 1976). Geldner was known for representing the interests of small businesses and the "Mittelstand" (middle-class entrepreneurs), which aligns perfectly with the token's reverse message. The Reverse of the Token bears the wording "Die Stabile Währung" ("The Stable Currency"). This phrase, "F.D.P. Die Stabile Währung" (The Stable Currency) was a key political slogan for the party during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This was a time of global economic shifts (the end of the Bretton Woods system). The FDP campaigned heavily on fiscal responsibility and the strength of the Deutsche Mark. By putting a politician's face on a coin-like token with the words "Stable Currency," the party was literally marketing their candidates as "valuable" and "reliable." This German token is a fascinating piece of political numismatics from the West German (FRG) era. This is not a legal tender coin, but a campaign token (often called a Wahlwerbejeton) issued by the Freie Demokratische Partei (Free Democratic Party, or FDP). This token was made of Aluminum (very common for German tokens because it was inexpensive and lightweight for mass distribution at rallies). The Token was issued circa 1969–1972. These were most likely produced for distributed during the 1969 or 1972 federal election campaigns. Political tokens such as this are highly sought after by collectors of German political history or Exonumia (tokens and medals). This Token Medallion was holed for wearing on a string. Dimensions: Aluminum. 30 mm. 5 g. Pickup category timeslot {A}