The inflation was triggered by a huge increase in the nation's money supply, caused in part by the heavy demands of the reparations placed upon Germany following its loss in World War I. Soon an inflationary mentality set in. Merchants would raise prices automatically. People would hoard goods, figuring the price would go up, thus causing shortages. The vast quantities of money were issued not only by the German central bank (The Reichsbank), but also by numerous communities, cities, states and companies, only compounded the inflation.

Much to the unhappiness of those who think they may have found a fortune in grandma's trunk, the money of this period is no longer valid. However it does form a fascinating collecting area where many items can be acquired at modest prices. Most notes sell for between $1 and $3 in average condition.

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1914

10 Pfennig, Copper-Nickel
Would buy 1/2 dozen eggs
or 2 1/2  pounds of potatoes.
Bread is 13 Pfennig for a 1 pound loaf.

The Copper-Nickel 10 Pfennig was introduced in 1873 as part of the German Empires first unified coinage. It would continue to be struck until 1916,

WORLD WAR I STARTS.
GERMANY INVADES BELGIUM AND FRANCE

1916

10 Pfennig, Iron
Would buy 2 Eggs or 1 1/2 Pounds of Potatoes.
Bread is 19 Pfennig a loaf.

Due to the demands of the War, iron and zinc were substituted for Copper-Nickel in the 5 and 10 Pfennig coins.

HEAVY FIGHTING ALONG THE WESTERN FRONT RESULTS IN TREMENDOUS CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES WITH FEW TERRITORIAL CHANGES.

THE BRITISH USE TANKS IN BATTLE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

1918

1/2 Mark, Silver
Would buy 1 Dozen Eggs,
5 Pounds of Potatoes or a 1/4 pound of Meat
Bread is 22 Pfennig a loaf.

Because of coin hoarding caused by the war and increasing inflation, these silver coins rarely circulated. Germany would discontinue the silver 1/2 Mark in 1919.

KAISER WILLIAM II ABDICATES.
ARMISTICE IS SIGNED.
HOSTILITIES CEASE ON NOVEMBER 11, 1918

This coin is part of an extensive series of coins and notes issued by various cities, towns, communities and companies that is commonly called "Notgeld".

Originally the notgeld issues were made to help relieve the coin shortage caused by the war and coin hoarding. Towns soon found that making "Notgeld" was an easy way to raise funds and many later issues were made to be sold to collectors.

A HARSH PEACE TREATY THAT INCLUDES HEAVY DEMANDS FOR REPARATIONS IS IMPOSED ON GERMANY

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1920

1 Mark, Paper Money
Would buy 6 Eggs or a pound of flour.
Bread is 1.20 Mark a loaf.

The 1 Mark note, called a "State Loan Currency Note" was not backed by reserves or hard assets. It contains an embossed seal as an anti-counterfeiting device.

RIOTS TAKE PLACE IN BERLIN AND THE RUHR.

The aluminum 50 Pfennig was introduced in 1919 to replace the silver 1/2 Mark. It would be struck until 1922.

THE ALLIES OCCUPY DUSSELDORF AND OTHER CITIES BECAUSE OF ALLEGED DEFAULTS IN REPARATION PAYMENTS.

When first issued in January of 1922 this note was the highest denomination of circulating currency ever issued by the German government. It would soon become small change. The note is sometimes called the "Vampire Note" . If you look carefully, and have a good imagination, you will see a vampire on the neck of the German worker. This was said to represent the French sucking the blood from Germany through the war reparations.

BY AUGUST THE MARK BEGINS A COMPLETE COLLAPSE DUE TO HEAVY REPARATION PAYMENTS.
 

This 500 Mark coin was the highest denomination issued for circulation by the German Government. Due to its rapidly decreasing value it rarely circulated.

FRENCH AND BELGIAN FORCES OCCUPY THE RUHR AND TAKE OVER MINES AND RAILROADS.

Suitcases, rather than wallets, were used to carry money.

To save printing cost and produce currency faster, the note was printed only on one side.

The German National Railroad, along with many companies and towns issued their own inflationary currency as the German Government was unable to print money fast enough to keep up with the roaring inflation. As might be expected, these additional issues only further fueled inflation by increasing the money supply.

Upon being paid, workers would rush to stores to buy anything they could get, as they knew the prices would be higher in a matter of hours.

UPRISINGS, CAUSED IN PART BY THE CONTINUING INFLATION, BREAK OUT THROUGHOUT GERMANY.

On November 15 a new currency, the Rentenmark was introduced. The Rentenmark was theoretically backed by all land and industry owned by the government. One new Rentenmark was worth a Trillion of the old Marks. Prices stabilized under the new currency, however the wealth of most of the nation's citizens had been destroyed.

ADOLF HITLER WRITE "MEIN KAMPF".

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