Coin market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The coin market in Germany experienced a temporary increase in volume to 5 380 t in 2019, driven primarily by the release of new 20 euro collector coins with cultural themes, which boosted demand for physical numismatic products. This period also saw continued activity in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and new blockchain projects, laying groundwork for a broader digital asset shift.

From 2020, market volume began a consistent decline, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic which spurred interest in digital currencies and crypto assets over physical coins. The introduction of Bitcoin ATMs in Germany, albeit with limited retail uptake, marked this transition. Subsequent years were shaped by the rise of NFTs, the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade, and Bitcoin's record highs, further diverting investor attention and capital away from physical coin holdings.

The contraction deepened between 2022 and 2024, with volume plummeting to 2 718 t. High volatility in the crypto market, highlighted by tokens like STEPN and ApeCoin, combined with weakening German consumer sentiment, reduced physical coin demand. Regulatory maturation, including the BaFin license for crypto custody introduced in 2024, strengthened the digital asset infrastructure, cementing the move away from physical coins.

Production coin in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Germany's coin production was valued at 43,679 thousand US dollars, marking the lowest point in the period. This was followed by a modest increase of 4.7% in 2020, bringing the output value to 45,720 thousand US dollars. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 46,111 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.8%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's coin production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4,847 tonnes of coins, a decrease of 3.4% compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,086 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports coin from Germany

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 13.1 times. In 2019, coin exports from Germany hit their lowest point at 80 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 79.5%. This was followed by a substantial recovery in 2020, with exports reaching 129 tonnes, a 61.2% increase compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Azerbaijan, and Israel were the key partners for Germany's coin exports in kind. Thailand accounted for 41.4% of exports, Azerbaijan for 28.6%, and Israel for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 82.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Coin exports from Germany increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 48.0 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 12.3% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 107%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 27.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export structure in value terms was highly diversified. Austria accounted for 23.2% of exports, Slovakia for 15.3%, and Switzerland for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.5% of total flows, with the remaining 51.5% coming from a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports coin to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Germany's coin imports reached their lowest point at 444 tonnes, declining by 21.8%. This was followed by an increase in 2020, with imports rising to 509 tonnes, up 14.5% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 568 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 23.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.3%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Canada, and South Africa were the main sources for Germany's coin imports in kind. Australia accounted for 40.9% of imports, Canada for 21.4%, and South Africa for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 73.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, Germany's coin imports in value terms were at their lowest, totaling 267.0 million US dollars, with a decline of 17.2%. This was followed by a significant rise in 2020, with imports reaching 343.3 million US dollars, up 28.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Canada, and South Africa remained the key directions for Germany's coin imports in value terms. Australia accounted for 41.1% of imports, Canada for 20.6%, and South Africa for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 72.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020