Germany is a federal republic consisting of sixteen states. Since today's Germany was formed from an earlier collection of several states, it has a federal constitution, and the constituent states retain a measure of sovereignty. After World War II, the Deutsche Mark (German Mark) was first introduced in the Allied-occupied territories and coinage was issued issued in 1948 and 1949 with the legend "BANK DEUTSCHER LÄNDER" (Bank of German States) on its obverse.
The modern Federal Republic of Germany was founded in 1949; coinage issued in 1950 and after carries the legend BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND (Federal Republic of Germany). |