WORLD PAPER MONEY
BY COUNTRY A to H

BANKNOTES FROM SOVIET OCCUPIED & TALIBAN AFGHANISTAN

This set of 4 attractive Afghanistan banknotes were introduced in 1978 during the Soviets occupation of Afghanistan.  The notes continued to be printed until about 1991 for the Taliban and various warlords.  The set includes the 50, 100 and 500 and 1000 Afghani notes in crisp uncirculated condition.  The 50 Afghani pictures the Dar-al-Aman palace in Kabul.  The 100 Afghani depicts a farmer and the Naghlu hydroelectric dam on the Kabul river.  The 500 Afghani pictures a group of horsemen playing Buzkashi. Buzkashi is the national sport of Afghanistan.  It is somewhat similar to polo, but is played with goat or calf carcass and has few, if any, rules. The 1000 Afghani depicts a flock of birds at the Mazar-e-Sharif Mosque (Noble shrine) on one side.  The other side pictures the monument to fallen soldiers and the Victory Arch in Paghman Gardens near Kabul.  They were built to commemorate Afghan victory over the British in 1919, heavily damaged during the Soviet-Afghanistan war in the 1980's and have since been restored. The notes all bear the seal of the Afghanistan bank on the front. The seal includes an image of an ancient Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm minted circa 171-179BC, two cornucopias spilling out coins and the year the bank was founded (1939).  The notes are a reminder of the recent troubled and violent history of Afghanistan.

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THE SHORT-LIVED GERMAN-AUSTRIA REPUBLIC

 German-Austria (Deutsch-Österreich) was a short-lived republic that was created after World War I after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  It claimed sovereignty over the German speaking portions of the former Hapsburg Empire.  Not seeing itself as a viable nation, having lost the agricultural lands of Hungary and the industrial areas of Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) it planned to join Germany as part of the Weimar Republic. However, treaties forced upon Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire following their defeat prevented this.  The Treaty of Versailles prohibited its unification with Germany, and the Treaty of Saint Germain prohibited it from calling itself German-Austria.  The modern Republic of Austria was then created out of the central core of German-Austria, with other areas claimed by German-Austria becoming parts of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Italy.  In a rush to get needed currency into circulation for this new nation banknotes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were overprinted “DEUTSCHÖSTERREICH"..  The notes were issued from 1919 to 1922, though they still had their original issue date. The red 1 Krone dated 1916 has the denomination written in 8 different languages! It measures 113 × 68 mm.  The large. blue1000 Kronen note is 192 x 128mm (approximately 7.6" x 5").and has the original 1902 date. The impressive large note is in Uncirculated condition.  The notes were replaced with Austrian currency in 1922 and demonetized in 1924.

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HINTERBRUHL, AUSTRIA NOTE PROMOTES TOWN

The town of Hinterbrühl Austria was a popular resort town for artists, aristocracy and upper-crust Viennese "longing to escape the heat and unsanitary conditions of the city in summer, its annual typhus and dysentery epidemics and the poor water quality, in search of fresh air, peace and quiet". On June 2, 1920 the town issued a large (152 x 82mm) 80 Heller note which promoted the towns attractions.  The front describes the town as being near Vienna and depicts the Hotel FM Redetzky.  The 100 Room hotel was the premier institution in town. Built in 1913, it was designed by famed Austrian-American architect Wilhelm Baumgarten. It advertised itself as a "High Class Hotel" with such amenities as hot and cold running water, central heating, an American bar, 5 o'clock tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, splendid gardens and marvelous views.  The back of the note describes Hinterbruhl as the "Most splendid air resort of the whole Vienna Woods. Surrounded by resin-scented pine forest. … Just 49 minutes from Vienna on the Südbahn Railroad.  Especially favorable for convalescents and those suffering from the nerves. Every year about 4000 summer guests. Baths, water - sanatoriums, post office, telegraph and telephone station. Comfortable hotels and inns." The back of the note also mentions that the town is the terminus of the Mödling-Hinterbrühl tram, built in 1885. (The Mödling-Hinterbrühl Tram was the first electric tram in Austria and, it was the first railway in the world that was run with electricity delivered by an overhead line in permanent service.) Also on the back of the note is the nearby Liechtenstein Castle. Liechtenstein ("bright stone") Castle is the origin of the name of the Liechtenstein family, the ruling house of the country by the same name.  The family owned the castle in the 12th and 13th century and again starting in 1807.  The note was good only for the summer of 1920 as it expired on September 30. It is an unusual promotional piece of notgeld currency.

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BANKNOTES OF UPPER AUSTRIA

After the collapse and dismemberment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following its defeat in World War I, coins disappeared from circulation. The state of Upper Austria issued these small, low denomination notes to help alleviate the coin shortage. The 20 Heller note depicts buildings in Upper Austria on both sides of the note, including the Church of Saints Michael and Ursula and the Holy Trinity Column in Linz. One side of the orange 50 Heller note features the arms of Upper Austria.  The other side is blank.     Both notes are dated 1921 and were issued in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria.

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HISTORIC AUSTRIAN NOTGELD NOTES 

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I, hundreds of local communities briefly issued their own emergency currency, known as notgeld, for use within the town.  These notes are denominated in Heller and usually depict scenes of the issuing community.  They are an inexpensive, interesting and historic collectable. Most of the notes are dated 1920 and most grade VF to Unc.  Every lot is different, with few duplicates between lots.

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NEW BAHAMAS HALF DOLLAR NOTE

The Bahamas released a new Half Dollar note dated 2019.  The front features a map of the Bahamas, a Bahama Strongbark flower, a color-shifting image of a lizard and the Queen.  The vertical back features Sister Sarah Johnson and images of the Straw Market.  Sister Sarah was a prominent artisan straw weaver at the market in the 1970's.  In the bottom left is the Bahamas Coat of Arms.  The note has a watermark of Queen Elizabeth. 

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OLD BANKNOTES OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA

This three-note set includes the orange 1 Yuan, green 5 Yuan and blue 10 Yuan notes of the Central Bank China dated 1936. The notes were issued as part of a major monetary reform which removed the peg between silver and the Chinese Yuan. The notes are inscribed "National Currency" to distinguish them from the many provincial and private issues that had been in circulation. The notes were printed in London by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd..  All three have similar designs.  The front is in Chinese and depicts Sun Yat Sen.  The back is in English and depicts trees and the gate to the Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province.  The notes have a watermark of Sun Yat Sen.

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HISTORIC BANK OF CHINA CURRENCY

The Bank of China is the oldest and one of the largest banks in China.  It was founded in 1905 and was named Bank of China in 1912. It was one of four major note issuing banks for the Republic of China.  It currently issues banknotes for both Hong Kong and Macao, making it one of the only banks in the world to issue currency for three different realms.  

THE BANK OF CHINA'S CURSED BUILDING

In 1930 The Bank of China began to construct a new 34-story headquarters on the Bund in Shanghai.  It was built on property that had been confiscated from the Germans during World War I. Perhaps a departing German cursed the property.   It was to be the highest building in the Far East. However, Britisher Victor Sassoon, the owner of the Sassoon House (now Fairmont Peace Hotel) located next door, demanded that no building be higher than his.  The municipal government, under British control, limited the height of the bank building giving it a chopped off appearance.  In 1937 the building was topped out at a height of 15 stories and the bank issued new banknotes to mark the occasion.  The back of the notes depict the Bank of China building along with a partial image of the Sasson House on the left and the Yokohama Specie Bank the right.. The front depicts Sun Yat Sen and have a watermark of the Temple of Heaven.  Unfortunately, the war with Japan broke out the same year which delayed the completion and move into the building.  The bank was not able to move into the building until 1946. In 1949 the bank was nationalized by the Chinese communists. The notes were printed by Thomas De La Rue in London.

WORLD WAR II NOTES OF THE BANK OF CHINA

In 1937 Japan invaded China,  forcing the Chinese government and The Bank of China to retreat to the remote city of Chungking (now Chongqing). From there the Bank of China issued this  red 10 Yuan note.  Sun Yat Sen is on the front and the Temple of Heaven is on the back of all the notes.  The notes were printed by the American Bank Note Company in New York. The notes were among the last released by the Bank of China for the Republic of China, which ceased to issue notes for China in 1942.

BANK OF CHINA CURRENCY FOR HONG KONG AND MACAU

After World War II most of the Bank of China was nationalized by the People's Republic of China, which operates it as a government owned commercial bank. Ahead of China's takeover of Hong Kong and Macau, China insisted that the Bank of China be allowed to issue banknotes for both territories. It is one of three banks that issues currency for Hong Kong and one of two banks issuing currency for Macau. This 2015 Bank of China 20 Dollar note for Hong Kong note depicts Bauhinia flowers and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong on the front.  The distinctive building was designed by I. M. Pei and was the tallest building in Hong Kong when it opened in 1990.  The back of the note portrays the shore of Repulse Bay.  The note includes braille to assist the blind and many security devices including, microprinting, watermark, security thread, SPARK (an optically variable magnetic ink) and iridescent ink.  The Bank of China Macau 10 Pataca dated 2008 features the A-Ma temple on the front.  Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and thought to be the settlement's namesake. The back depicts the Bank of China Building in Macau.  It is the second highest building in Macau.  The bank's name is in Portuguese "Banco da China"

Also see:
HONG KONG - BANK OF CHINA $20 1998 BANKNOTE

MACAO - BANK OF CHINA YEAR OF THE PIG BANKNOTE

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY USED IN CHINA  

Japan  issued Military Currency starting in 1938 for use in the areas of China that they occupied. Because civilians were forced to accept the Military Yen, which was not backed and could not be exchanged into Japanese Yen, it cost the Japanese government virtually nothing to purchase whatever they wanted. The initial issues of Military currency were created by taking partially completed Japanese homeland notes and overprinting them on the front and back with four large red characters that read "Military Note". 

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CONGO NOTES FEATURE WILDLIFE & CULTURE

This set of four attractive banknotes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo features the country’s wildlife and culture.  The 2003 dated 10 Francs features native carvings, with a carving of a couple embracing on the front and one of a man holding a bowl on the back.  The 2003 20 Francs features a male lion on the front and a female lion and her cubs on the back.  The 2007 50 Francs  features a wooden mask on the front.  The back depicts a fishing village on the Congo river and fish.  The 2007 100 Francs note features an elephant on the front.  The back depicts the Inga II dam and hydroelectric power plant.  Inaugurated in 1982, the 1400 Megawatt plant is to be part of the Inga hydroelectric project that is supposed supply electricity to much of southern Africa. Due to poor management and lack of maintenance the dam produces only about 20% of its capacity and is not even able to ensure reliable power to the capital city of Kinshasa.  Despite its failure, plans are underway to build additional phases of the project.  All four notes have a watermark of the head of an Okapi and are Uncirculated. 

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SERBIAN KRAJINA & CROATIA AT WAR 

With the collapse of Yugoslavia, the Serbian portions of Croatia declared independence from Croatia, even before Croatia declared itself independent from Yugoslavia.  The Serbs formed the Republic of Serbian Krajina and had their capital at Knin.  A brutal war broke out, and both Croatia (Republika Hrvatska) and Serbian Krajina suffered from severe inflation as they tried to finance themselves by printing money.  Krajina was defeated in 1995 and reincorporated into Croatia.  From Serbian Kranina we have the 500,000 Dinara and 500,000,000 Dinara notes dated 1993.  Both notes have similar designs.   The notes feature the Knin fortress on a hill on one side, and the Serbian arms on the other.  The Croatia 50,000 Dinara and 100,000 Dinara are dated 1993.  Both feature Croatian astronomer, physicist, mathematician, and philosopher Roger Joseph Boscovich.  Boscovich is famous for his atomic theory.  In 1753 he discovered the absence of atmosphere on the Moon.  The reverse of the notes have the Statue of  "Glagolica Mother Croatia", a marble statue created in 1932 by artist Ivan Mestrovic. The sculpture is of a mother holding on her lap a stone tablet with “History of Croatians” engraved in the old Croatian script.  The original sculpture has been in a "temporary exhibition" in Belgrade, Serbia since 1934.  Serbia has refused to return the statue to Croatia.  A bronze copy is at Zagreb University in Croatia

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SCARCE FIDEL CASTRO CUBAN REVOLUTION NOTE

This unusual 2 Pesos note was issued in the 1958 by Fidel Castro in order to raise funds for his guerilla army. The note commemorates the 5th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s failed attack on the Moncada Army Barracks on July 26, 1953.  The attack marked the start of Castro's revolution which finally overthrew the Cuban government in 1959.  One side of the note has a map of Cuba with the Cuban flag planted at Moncada. The other side includes a soldier, upraised fists holding bonds, and Fidel Castro's facsimile signature.  

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THE SHORT-LIVED FARMER’S GOVERNMENT OF HADERSLEV IN DENMARK

Haderslev is a town in Denmark located near Germany. Unhappy with the traditional political parties and reinforced by an agricultural crises in 1926. Haderslev declared itself an independent "Self Government of the Farm".  The purpose was to establish a "new state modeled after ancient Frisian traditions".   In order to help finance the new government, Haderslav issued banknotes dated June 1, 1927.  They were denominated in Kroner but tied to the U.S. dollar. The inscriptions on the notes indicate "1 Kr. = 26/100 Dollar".  The notes bear the facsimile signatures of the founders of the movement.  The movement  fell apart about a year later.   This brown 2 Kroner note of Haderslev has inscriptions on the front.  The back depicts archers shooting at a fleeing horseman, a design that was used on a 1920 Haderslev notgeld note.  It is approximately 110x73mm.  It is a scarce and historic banknote from a failed "new model state".

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ANCIENT THEMES ON MODERN EGYPTIAN NOTES

Egypt’s ancient heritage is portrayed on these modern Egyptian banknotes.  The statue of Nefertiti is on the 5 Piastres note.  The front of the 10 Piastres note depicts the Sphinx and pyramids and the Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque in Cairo on the back.  Both notes have watermarks of King Tut.  Because of their minimal buying power, the undated notes no longer circulate.

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ERITREA NOTE FEATURES NATIVE GIRLS AND STUDENTS  

This 1997 1 Nakfa note was one of the first notes issued by Eritrea after gaining its independence from Ethiopia.  The front features three native girls.  To their left if a small vignette of men raising the Eritrean flag.  To the right is a camel and a watermark of a camel’s head.  The back features a group of students in a bush school.  It is an attractive note featuring the young people of a young nation.

ALSO SEE:
ERITREA WILDLIFE COIN SET

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MAGNIFICENT GERMAN EMPIRE & WEIMAR REPUBLIC NOTES OF GERMANY

These large, beautiful German notes were issued before, during and after World War I by both the German Empire and the Weimar Republic.  The blue 100 Mark is dated 1908. Regardless of when the notes were actually printed, they always carried the original date. The notes issued by the German Empire have a red seal and serial numbers.  The Weimar Republic continued to issue the notes with the same date and designs from 1918 to 1922, but with a green seal and serial number.  The 100 Mark note features the crowned imperial German eagle on one side.  The other side features two women holding a large portrait of a woman's head. The note measures 160x105mm.    It is an unusual "multi-government" notes are impressive pieces of historical currency.

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WORLD WAR I GERMAN OCCUPATION CURRENCY FOR THE EASTERN FRONT

During World War I Germany issued currency denominated in Rubles for use in territories they occupied in eastern Europe that had been under Russian control.  The Germans issued the notes because of a lack of Russian Rubles needed to pay for the occupation.  The notes, called Ostrubles, are dated April 12, 1916.  They circulated in parts of what is now Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.  The notes continued to be used parts of Poland until 1920 and in Lithuania until 1922.  The fronts of the notes are in German and the backs are in Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish.  It is an unusual four-language occupation issue of World War I.

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EMERGENCY WORLD WAR I 50 PFENNIG NOTE OF KIEL, GERMANY

Kiel is an important seaport located at the mouth of the Kiel Canal which connects the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.  It was also a major base for the German Imperial Navy.   By the beginning of 1918 the war effort was not going well for Germany.  Though the German government continued to mint silver 1/2 Mark coins, they were hoarded almost as soon as they were minted, resulting in a serious coin shortage.   To help alleviate the shortage and allow merchants and citizens to carry on commercial transactions the city of Kiel issued this emergency 50 Pfennig note dated January 1, 1918. The front features the denomination and date in words and has a green under-printing depicting ships on the ocean.  The back features the Kiel city hall.  

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EMERGENCY BANKNOTE FROM THE CITY OF GOTHA

Because of the severe inflation that followed World War I, prices were rising faster than the German government could print money.  Many towns and companies resorted to printing their own currency.  This 100 Mark note was issued by the City of Gotha, Germany.  It is dated September 30, 1922.  It is a simple, uniface note that pictures a bishop from the town’s arms. 

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LAST BANKNOTE OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE

This attractive 50 Mark note is the last note of the German Empire. It is dated June 23, 1919, some seven months after Germany's defeat in World War I and less than 7 weeks before the signing of the new constitution in Weimar which formally ended the German Empire and ushered in the weak and chaotic Weimar Republic. The large, green note measures 153x102mm and features an allegorical figure of a woman against a starry background.

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HIGH-GRADE WEIMAR GERMAN BANKNOTE

These 1 and 2 Mark notes dated March 1, 1920 were some of the first notes issued by Germany's Weimar government after World War I. They were needed to help relieve the serious coin shortage that developed in Germany during and after World War I.  The notes were technically were not legal tender but a non-interest-bearing loan to the government. that did not stop people from accepting them as the low denomination notes were needed to purchase essential goods.  When first issued the 1 Mark note could buy about a pound of flour or half a dozen eggs.  The notes include an embossed seal and are printed on watermarked paper. They are quite reasonably priced for historic high-grade notes that are a century old.  We also have a few original, unopened packs of 100 of the 1 Mark notes and 50 of the 2 Mark note in Uncirculated condition and serial number order..

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GERMAN WEIMAR REPUBLIC 100 MARK BANKNOTE

The Weimar Republic was formed after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I.  Its early years were a tumultuous period of uprisings, riots and massive inflation.  It is named after the city where the new German constitution was written and adopted in August, 1919, and lasted until the rise of the Nazis in 1933.    The 100 Mark note features two images of the head of the “Bamberg Horseman”. The horseman is an impressive 13th century sculpture in the Bamberg Cathedral.  The Bamberg Horsman depicts a famous king, however which king it is is a matter of debate. The note is dated November 1, 1920, measures 162x108mm and includes the red Weimar Republic crest.

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UNCIRCULATED GERMAN 1000 MARK NOTE

This Uncirculated German 1000 Mark note is dated September 15, 1922.  Some consider this the start of the Germany hyperinflation as the value of the Mark collapsed that month.  A liter of milk went from 7 Marks in April 1922, to 16 Marks in August to 26 Marks in mid-September.  The 160 x 85mm note has a simple design consisting primarily of words printed on watermarked paper.  For a high value note that is almost a century old and in top condition it is remarkably inexpensive.

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THE FAMOUS GERMAN “VAMPIRE NOTE”

This large ( 180 x 100mm - approx. 8” x 5”) 10,000 Mark note dated January 19, 1922 is often called the “Vampire Note”  If you turn the note sideways and look carefully (and have a good imagination) you will see a vampire on the neck of the German.  The nose of the vampire is pointed towards the neck of the man.  This was an allusion that the heavy reparations that Germany had to pay France following World War I. It France represented sucking the lifeblood out of Germany. We offer this popular note in both circulated and Uncirculated condition.
For more information about this note and similar stories of hidden messages on other notes, get the book:
BOOKS:  PAPER MONEY MESSAGES, A PICTORIAL PERSPECTIVE by Jeffrey Jerome

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POPULAR GERMAN 100,000 MARK INFLATION NOTE

This 100,000 Mark note dated February 1, 1922 is one of the most popular of the German inflation notes.  The large (190 x 115mm) note features a cut from Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait "The Merchant Georg Gisze".  At the time the painting was done in 1532 Georg Gisze was a prominent Hanseatic merchant who managed his family's trading office in London. Some sources indicate the portrait was done for his betrothed who lived in Danzig (Gdansk), as they probably had never met.  German painter Han Holbein the Younger had a successful career in London, with commissions from Sir Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn and as a court painter of Henry VIII.  The painting is now in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin.  The back of the brown, black and lilac note features the denomination within guilloche patterns.  It is an historic note from the beginning of the German hyperinflationary period.  We offer this popular note in both circulated and Uncirculated condition.

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A HIGHLY REVALUED GERMAN NOTE

This German banknote was originally authorized in December 1922 as a 1000 Mark note.  Because of Germany's inflation, it was virtually worthless when was ready to be released and few actually went into circulation.  By autumn of 1923 Germany's inflation was totally out of control.  The government could not issue new notes fast enough to keep up with rising prices.  The unissued 1000 Mark notes were overprinted in September 1923 as 1 Billion Mark notes (Milliarde in German translates as 1 Billion in English).  The front of the note has the portrait of Jörg Herz who was the Mintmaster of Nuremberg in the early 16th century.  The back has gulloche patterns and the denomination.  The note is 140x90mm.   It makes a fascinating lesson about inflation. 

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SMALL COLORFUL GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES

These small paper Notgeld notes were initially issued by towns during World War I to provide for small change. Most were denominated 1 Mark or less and are usually less than 4 inches (90mm) long.  By 1921 most notes were being made to sell to collectors and the designs became increasingly colorful. The issues ceased after 1922 with the collapse of the German economy.  The colorful notes are a fun and popular collectible.  They have a wide variety of themes, including fairy tales, local history, monuments, and political satire.  Most notes are Uncirculated. Every lot is different, though there may be some duplication between lots. They will make a fun and interesting addition to your collection.

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INFLATION NOTGELD NOTES

By late 1922, inflation was racing out of control in Germany.  The German government could not print money fast enough to keep up with the ever soaring prices.  Companies started printing their own money in order to pay workers.  Municipalities also issued their own currency to provide cash for the local economy.  All of this made inflation worse by increasing the money supply.  We offer sets of these full-sized inflation notgeld notes, ranging in value from 100 Marks to billions (milliarden) of Marks, dated 1922 or 1923. Every lot is different.

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NAZI GERMAN CURRENCY

The following notes were used in Nazi Germany throughout World War II and remained legal tender until 1948.  The notes bear two dates: the date the note was first authorized, and the date the issuing bank was authorized to issue currency. Unlike coins, the date is not the year the note was printed.  These Reichsbank notes were supposedly backed by gold.  



The 1935 100 Reichsmark features a large swastika underprint at the center. To the right is Justus von Liebig, a 19th century German chemist who is "Father of the Fertilizer Industry" for his discovery of nitrogen as an essential plant nutrient.  The back depicts allegorical figures. The note was the highest denomination in general circulation.  It was about half a month's pay for a skilled laborer.



The 20 Reichsmark note dated 1929 portrays Ernst Werner Siemens, the 19th century German industralist and inventor who founded the Siemens A.G. which has expanded into a multi-national company producing a wide range products. The back features children holding tools and a worker carrying a hammer.  It has a watermark of Siemans at the left and an embosed seal near the lower left corner.  The note continued in circulation throughout World War II.
The 10 Reichsmark depicts Albrecht Thaer, a 19th Century German agriculturalist who applied scientific principles to agriculture and set up one of the first agricultural colleges.  The back features two children and a woman carrying a sickle.  The note is dated January 22, 1929 and was issued until 1945..  It has a watermark of Thaer at the right and an embosed seal near the lower left corner.

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NAZI GERMAN 5 REICHMARK NOTE FEATURES HITLER YOUTH  

Nazi Germany introduced this 5 Reichmark note in 1942 to replace the silver 5 Reichsmark coins which were disappearing from circulation due to hoarding.  The front of the note features a German young man, along with a small eagle and swastika. The back depicts a woman with a sickle and a man with a wood plane, representing farming and industry.   Between them is a vignette of the Brunswick Cathedral and the Brunswick Lion statue.  The Lion was commissioned by Henry the Lion about 1166AD.  The statue is the oldest, preserved large sculpture from the Middle Ages north of the Alps. The note measures 140x70mm and is brown.  The left side features a watermark of the numeral "5".

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WORLD WAR II GERMAN MILITARY CURRENCY 

Wehrmacht military currency was used by Nazi Germany to pay its troops during the final months of World War II.  The notes are dated September 15, 1944. Soldiers were paid in military scrip while in transit. When a soldier arrived at his post the notes could be converted to the local currency or occupation notes. The notes all have similar designs. The front includes a small Eagle holding a Swastika and the inscription "VERRECHNUNGSSEN FÜR DIE DEUTSCHE WEHRMACHT" (Clearing notes for German Armed Forces) The back of the note includes regulations and instructions on how to use the notes.They are interesting and historic pieces of World War II military history.

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FIRST BANKNOTES OF EAST GERMANY

On June 20, 1948 the Nazi era Reichsmark and Rentenmark were abolished and a new currency introduced in the Western occupied zones of Germany.  The Soviets rook the currency reform as a threat.  In retaliation, on June 24 the Soviets cut off all access from the western zones into Berlin, thus starting the Berlin Blockade.  The Western Allies responding with the Berlin Airlift.  For eleven months all the supplies needed in West Berlin were transported by airplane into the city.  Though the Soviets claimed to be surprised by the currency reform, they were prepared as the new currency for East Germany was introduced on July 24, 1948.  The new notes had simple designs featuring the denomination, engraved borders and were printed on watermarked paper. Officially East Germany Marks were exchangeable on par with the West German Marks. In reality they were not exchangeable for any currency and traded on the black market at a large discount. These 1948 dated notes are part of the first series of notes for East Germany.   The green 50 Mark is 171 x 87mm.

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EAST GERMAN FOREIGN EXCHANGE CERTIFICATES

East Germany ran a special chain of stores, called Intershop.  The Intershop carried imported merchandise and high-quality domestic goods that were not available to most citizens.  Only hard currencies, such as the West German Mark were accepted.  Citizens could only get hard currency if they had the right government connections, a job in the west, or family in the west that sent them money.  Such is equality under a communist regime.    In 1979 East Germany required its citizens to convert any western currency they possessed into Foreign Exchange Certificates, called Forum Checks.  The Forum Checks could be used to make purchases to at the Intershops.   These foreign exchange certificates are an interesting form of parallel currency used in a controlled economy.

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SCARCE, FINAL BANKNOTES OF EAST GERMAN NOTES 

These scarce 200 and 500 Mark East German notes are rarely seen in any collections. They are the highest denominations ever printed by East Germany and were some of the last banknotes ever printed by East Germany. The notes were dated 1985, however the East German government collapsed before the notes were released into general circulation. After the collapse of East Germany the notes were put into storage in old Nazi bunkers. A very limited number of notes were "liberated" from the bunkers before the German government destroyed all of the remaining notes. The front of 200 Mark note features a family standing in front of a government apartment complex. The back pictures a group of young school children and their teacher.  The 500 Mark pictures the East German Arms and the Staatsrat building in Berlin. 

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BRITISH ARMED FORCES CURRENCY

To try to control black market activities and currency speculation where British troops were stationed overseas Great Britain paid troops with a special currency called British Armed Forces Special Vouchers. The notes were only to be used in military canteens.  They were first issued for use in occupied Germany following World War II.  We have two sets of these unusual banknotes.  A set of three 1 Pound notes, consisting of the Second Series 1 Pound note which was introduced in Germany in 1948, the Third Series 1 Pound note which was briefly used during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and the Fourth Series1 Pound note, which printed in 1962 at the height of the Cold War.  A set of three Sixth series notes consisting of 5, 10 and 50 New Pence notes were issued in 1972, after Great Britain went to the decimal system. (no Fifth Series exists). The notes were used in Berlin until December 31, 1979.

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RARE GREENLAND MONEY CHITS

These cardboard money chits, also called Greenland stamp money, were used in Greenland from 1910 until 1926.  The chits were needed because of a lack of small change. The set includes the brown 1 Ore, yellow 2 Ore, violet 5 Ore, pink 25 Ore and the blue 1 Krone. The denomination is printed on one side and the other side is blank. They are approximately 21x34mm.   The chits have perforated edges, like postage stamps, as they were originally issued in sheets.   (During World War II chits were overprinted "Grl. Adm.", these chits  pre-date the World War II issue).  These Greenland chits are exceedingly scarce.   These are not listed in The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, however they are included in the more comprehensive The Banknote Book. We were fortunate enough to obtain a few sets from a small hoard.


Also see:
GREENLAND 50 KRONER PATTERN COIN 2010

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SCARCE PORTUGUESE GUINEA BANKNOTES FEATURE SHIPS

These Portuguese Guinea 1971 50 and 100 Escudos were the last banknotes issued before it became the independent nation of Guinea-Bissau in 1974.   The backs of both notes feature a woman looking out at ships through the ages.  Six ships, from ancient times to a modern ocean liner are depicted.  An additional sailing ship is included in the of the bank seal at the bottom left.  The front of both notes has a portrait and watermark of Nuno Tristao, a Portuguese slave trader and explorer who is traditionally credited with discovering Guinea, though most modern scholars now dismiss the claim.  Notes of Portuguese Guinea are exceedingly scarce.  These two notes together catalog for $170.00.  Due to a fortunate purchase we can offer these scarce and historic notes for substantially less.

ALSO SEE:
LAST COIN OF PORTUGUESE GUINEA: 10 CENTAVOS 1973 KM12 UNC.

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HELL BANK NOTES

Hell Bank notes, also called "Spirit Money" are used in funeral ceremonies in many far-eastern countries to provide money and goods in the afterlife for the dead person.  The term "hell" just designates the place where the dead go, and does not carry the negative connotations that it does in the Christian world. A wide variety of notes have been produced, and make an interesting and inexpensive area to collect.  We assembled a collection of 10 different Hell Bank Notes from China and Vietnam. It includes both traditional style notes exchangeable for goods in the afterlife and modern,  multi-color currency style notes. 

For further information about Hell Bank Notes visit
Satan's Own Bankers: Chinese Hell Money

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FOR MORE PAPER MONEY, PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING:

World Paper Money by Country I to Z

INDIAN HUNDI NOTES

OLD HANSATSU NOTES OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN

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scale with which to judge image sizes

All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

Please add postage.  California residents include 7.75% sales tax.  3-week return privileges.
Personal checks, Money Orders, (pay to Joel Anderson) VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Paypal ( pay to Joel@JoelsCoins.com ) accepted.

Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365
USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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