Coins, crests and kings: Symbols of identity and resistance in the Occupied Channel Islands

Abstract

During the German Occupation of the Channel Islands, 1940–1945, the ratio of occupying soldiers to civilians was higher than anywhere else in Occupied Europe; thus, armed resistance was virtually impossible. In its place, unarmed and symbolic resistance grew in importance, and while the role of this has been played down, such acts, many of which left a material trace, were of great significance to islanders. The case study presented here examines the role of coins and trench art (such as cigarette lighters and badges) made out of coins, which were used as symbols of resistant identity during the German Occupation. It is argued here that coinage is particularly appropriate and versatile for Occupation trench art, made and used by civilians and occupying soldiers alike, because of the key symbols of patriotism and identity that they carry. In this article, the author shows how these symbols were used at different times in the biographical trajectories of different types of trench art made from and with coins, and varied in meaning depending on context and owner.