The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Government & Party
Walther Funk (1890–1960): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 18 August 1890, Trakehnen |
|---|---|
| Died | 31 May 1960, Düsseldorf |
| Key offices | State Secretary in the Propaganda Ministry (March 1933); Reich Minister of Economics (February 1938); Reichsbank President (January 1939) |
| Documents bearing his name | Ministry and Reichsbank papers; printed signature on Reichsbank banknotes |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Walther Funk succeeded Hjalmar Schacht both as Minister of Economics and as Reichsbank President. His Reichsbank deposited gold and valuables taken from victims of the camps, a fact that gives his documents a grim significance.
Who Was Walther Funk?
Funk was born in Trakehnen in East Prussia in 1890. He became Hitler’s press chief in February 1933 and State Secretary in the Propaganda Ministry in March 1933. In February 1938 he replaced Schacht as Minister of Economics, and in January 1939 as Reichsbank President.
What Documents Bear Funk’s Signature?
Original signatures appear on ministry and Reichsbank correspondence. His printed signature appears on banknotes of the period. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Banknote signatures are printed.
- Ministry documents from February 1938; Reichsbank from January 1939.
- Typed copies are common.
Responsibility and Fate
The International Military Tribunal sentenced Funk to life imprisonment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was released early for health reasons on 16 May 1957 and died in Düsseldorf on 31 May 1960.
Collector’s Note
As with Schacht, Funk’s printed banknote signature is often a collector’s first contact with his name. I use it to show how printed and handwritten signatures differ under the loupe.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Funk become Reichsbank President?
In January 1939.
What was Funk sentenced to?
Life imprisonment; he was released in 1957.
Is Funk’s signature on banknotes handwritten?
No, it is printed.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the National Socialist period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of the regime.
References & Further Reading
- Deutsches Historisches Museum, LeMO – Lebendiges Museum Online, Walther Funk 1890–1960 (A. Mühle and A. Scriba; last updated 2014).