The upcoming Downies Australian Coin Auctions military auction also includes Third Reich badges and a military dress sword.
Downies told the Herald Sun it had been “contacted by a member of the public who expressed concern and distress that there are a number of items in our current auction catalogue which are related to the Third Reich”.
The Anti-Defamation Commission — a Jewish organisation which aims to combat anti-Semitism — slammed the sale of Nazi memorabilia as “stomach-churning”.
“It would not surprise me if neo-Nazis, Holocaust deniers and skinheads are delighted that they can acquire such objects as a way to celebrate their vile ideology and to recruit new members,” the commissioner’s chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich, said. “These hateful and ghastly materials have no place in our nation and it’s time to close that door on this reprehensible practice.”
But Downies’ auction manager Tony Gordon said the Third Reich artefacts “are catalogued on a factual basis and do not receive promotion”.
“We are sensitive to the community reaction to this type of material,” he added.
“As a reputable auction house some of our customers are institutions and museums, who ensure that historical objects such as these are displayed in the context of the era.”
The World Military Medals and Militaria auction is set to be held in Box Hill between October 31 and November 1.
British, US and Australian war memorabilia are available alongside “genuine” Hitler Youth badges, a variety of Third Reich badges, and a military belt and dress sword.
University of Melbourne modern Jewish history expert Dr Jordy Silverstein said the auctioning of Nazi materials was a huge concern.
“(It) is harmful because we’re in a moment of (rising) neo-Nazi sentiment around the country,” she said.
It’s not the first time the sale of Nazi symbols in Melbourne has sparked outrage from Jewish groups. In July, Australia’s peak Jewish body said the sale of replica Nazi flags, uniforms and badges at an Altona North gun show indicated growing anti-Semitism.