CHILEAN – GERMAN EL CONDOR COIN
Although these coins were issued by Chile, they were selected by the World War II, German Condor Legion* as a comradary medallion because of the symbolism of the large Condor on each One Peso coin. Only those pieces that had the minting year of 1933 (the year of Hitler’s ascent to power) were accepted.
*Was a unit of the German Luftwaffe (air force), adapted by Hermann Göring for special duty in Spanish speaking countries, in this case with General Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939). It was commissioned to Franco on condition that it remain under German command. The Legion consisted of four bomber squadrons (48 bombers total) and four fighter squadrons and was backed by anti-aircraft and anti-tank units.