The Story Behind the Nazi Gold Nazi Gold: Hard currency looted from treasuries of countries occupied by the Axis powers during World War II. Ingots consisting of gold melted down from the teeth of murder victims and weddings bands and jewelry. About two thirds of an estimated $660 million ($7.8 billion in today's dollars) in stolen Nazi gold passed through Switzerland during the war. And like any sharp businessmen with hot goods, the Swiss disposed of much …showed first 75 words of 643 total…

…showed last 75 words of 643 total…for survival's sake, but their critics assert that it was Wieckowski 3 done of opportunism and amorality and should be paid for in both moral and financial terms (Cowell). During WWII, the German threat to Switzerland was real, not imaginary or exaggerated. After the collapse of France in 1940, historically neutral Switzerland was virtually surrounded by axis-dominated territory. After the Germans occupied Vichy, France in the fall of 1942, Switzerland was entirely cut off from the outside world.