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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OLD BANKNOTE FROM VIENNA 

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I the economy of Austria went into a tail-spin.  In order to combat a serious coin shortage, the capital city of Vienna issued their own currency.  This 50 Heller note is dated December 3, 1920 and was good only until December 31, 1921.  The small (75mm x 48mm) note depicts the Vienna city hall (Weiner Rathaus) and what was then the city’s coat-of-arms.

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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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JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY FOR 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 overprinting Japanese homeland notes by putting a red line through the "Bank of Japan Convertible Silver Note" at the front, another line through the Bank of Japan seal on the back putting four large "Military Note" characters on both sides.  The next issue used modified homeland notes that did not have the the Bank of Japan inscriptions or seals.  Later notes were issued for China with the inscription Imperial Japanese Government without the Military note overprint.   The 50 Sen note depicts a dragon on the front and inscriptions on the back.

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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.

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"

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SCARCE CHINA 5000 CUSTOM GOLD UNITS 1948 BANKNOTE

The Republic of China introduced the Custom Gold Unit in 1930 to assist in paying import duties.  It was originally valued at 40 United States Cents and was fully backed by silver.  By 1942 it ceased to be used to pay custom duties, was no longer backed by silver and entered general circulation with the value of 1 Custom Gold Unit equal to 20 Chinese Yuan (Chinese Dollars).  Following World War II China, suffered from increasing inflation produced Custom Gold Units in ever higher denominations.  This 5000 Custom Gold Unit note was issued in 1948.  The following year China fell to the communists.  The vertical, undated, purple note features Sun Yat Sen on the front and the Shanghai Custom House on the back.  The note was printed by China's Central Printing Works and is 64x153mm.

Item PM-CN-5000CGU CHINA 5000 CUSTOM GOLD UNITS NOTE P361 AU-UNC. $18.00

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MULTI-LINGUAL NOTE OF CHINA FEATURES POTALA PALACE IN TIBET

Mao Zedong is featured on the front of this 2005 dated 50 Yuan note from China. The 170 x 50m note also includes a watermark of Mao.  The back depicts the Potala Palace in Lhasa in Tibet. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and the seat of the Tibet government from 1649 to 1959. It has been a museum since then and is a World Heritage Site.  The 13-story building contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues.  Also on the back is the denomination written out in Mandarin Pinyin, Mongol, Tibetan, Uighur and Zhuang as well as English. 

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MUSEUM OF GOLD ON COLOMBIA 20 GOLD PESOS NOTE

The back of this Colombia 1983 20 Pesos Oro (Gold Pesos) note depicts golden objects from the Museum of Gold in Bogata.  The museum houses the world's largest collection of pre-Colombian gold relics.  The front depicts Francisco José de Caldas, a Colombian lawyer, scientist, military engineer and inventor who was killed by the Spanish in 1816 during Colombia's war for independence. Though the note is denominated in Gold Pesos, the note was not was not backed by gold and within a few years was virtually worthless. The note measures 140x70mm.

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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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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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PAPER MONEY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The French Revolution brought about a radical and violent reorganization of French society.  France soon found itself at war with most of the monarchies of Europe as it tried to spread its revolutionary ideals.  In order to finance the wars, vast quantities of paper money called Assignats, were issued.  The Assignats were supposedly backed by land confiscated from the church and nobility that fled the country (in hopes of keeping their heads attached).  The notes are printed on one side only on thin, watermarked paper with an embossed seal.  The notes carry a warning that the punishment for counterfeiting is death, and a reward will be paid to informers. The square 15 Sols note is dated 1792 or 1793 and has received considerable wear.  The rectangular 5 Livres note is dated Year 2 of the French Republican Calendar, which corresponds to 1793, the year both King Louis XIV and Maria Antoinette were guillotined as the revolution became increasingly radical and deadly.

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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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1910 GERMAN EMPIRE BANKNOTE SET  

In 1910 Germany released four beautiful banknotes dated April 21, 1910.  The notes, issued by the Reichsbank were initially backed by gold.  The 20, 50 and 1000 Mark notes copied the designs of previous issues.  The blue 20 Mark featured a German Eagle at the upper right and measures 136x90mm. The pink and green 50 Mark note has the head of Germania at the upper right and left corners.  It is 150x100mm.  A totally new and very impressive 100 Mark note was released.  The front of the blue note features the heads of Mercury and Ceres and the German imperial crown.  The back pictures a seated figure of Germania holding a sword under an oak tree.  At her feet are symbols of industry, farming and commerce, while three battle ships steam by.  The over-sized note is 207mm x 102 mm (8.25” x 4”) and includes a watermark of German Emperor Wilhelm I.   The brown 1000 Mark notes features the allegorical figures of navigation and agriculture flanking the imperial German arms. The over-sized note is 187mm x 110mm (7.3” x 4.3”) and is printed on special ridged hemp paper containing blue silk threads.  The notes have red Reichsbank seals.  All together the four notes would have been equivalent to almost 13.5 ounces of gold!  Unfortunately, the Reichsbank stopped converting notes to gold when World War I broke out, and within a few years the notes lost all their value due to inflation.

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ATTRACTIVE HIGH-GRADE WORLD WAR I GERMAN 5 MARK NOTE

A young woman with flowers and grain in her hair grace the front of this German 5 Mark note dated August 1, 1917.  The back features the German Imperial Crown surrounded by oak leaves.  The blue and green note measures 125x80mm.   It was to be 5 Mark note issued by the German Empire, and the last until the re-establishment of German monetary stability in 1924. 

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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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100 MILLION MARK NOTE!

This German 100 Million Mark note is dated August 22, 1923.  It was issued at the height of Germany's hyperinflation.  When issued it was the highest denomination issued by the German government and was worth about 10 Dollars.  Within less than three months it was worth only a tiny fraction of a cent.  In order to run the presses faster, it was printed on only one side.

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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.

AN EXCELLENT BOOK TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE MANY IMAGES AND MESSAGES FOUND ON NOTGELD NOTES:
PAPER MONEY MESSAGES, A PICTORIAL PERSPECTIVE by Jeffrey Jerome Wing,  Vol.2 - Notgeld

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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, though there may be some duplication between lots.


CLICK HERE to see our exhibit on the coins and notes of the German Hyperinflation

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NAZI GERMAN CONVERSION FUND NOTES USED TO PAY JEWS

Jewish and other refugees fleeing Nazi Germany would sometimes be paid for their confiscated property with these Conversion Fund Notes, (called Konversionkasse fur Deutsche Auslandsschulden.) The notes were not legal tender nor were they transferable. Redemption of the notes was difficult, if not impossible.  In most cases their owners found them to be eventually worthless. The original issue is dated 1933.  The 1934 has two red guiloches overprinted on the left side of the 1933 notes, with the lower guiloche containing the date 1934. The large sized notes measure 200 x 115mm. They are historic and rarely seen items.

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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.

100 REICHSMARK FEATURES SWASTIKA

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 called the "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.

AUSTRIAN MAIDEN ON 1939 NAZI GERMAN 20 REICHSMARK NOTE

 In 1939 a new 20 Reichsmark note was introduced, with a design taken from an unissued Austrian note.  Austria had been forcibly incorporated into the Third Reich the previous year.  The front depicts a young woman holding edelweiss,  There is also a small eagle and swastika and a large swastika underprint.  The back pictures an alpine lake.  Both 20 Reichsmark notes continued to circulate throughout the war years. 



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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WWII GERMAN ARMED FORCES AUXILIARY PAYMENT CERTIFICATE

During World War II Nazi Germany issued special notes known as Auxiliary Payment Certificates. They were used to pay troops stationed in occupied nations. In an effort to keep the notes from circulating in the local economy they were worth ten times their face value if spent in authorized military establishments or sent back to Germany. The notes have the denomination and two small Wehrmacht eagle and swastika emblems on the front. The back is blank. The 1 Reichspfennig note was released in 1942. It is printed on blue watermarked paper and is 88x43mm.

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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 FUR 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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NAZI OCCUPATION CURRENCY

In order to control inflation and limit currency flows, Germany created a special currency, called Reichskreditkassenschein for use in the nations overrun by Hitler's forces. The notes were denominated in German Reichsmark but could only be spent in an occupied country, not in Germany. German troops were paid in these notes, thus effectively forcing the occupied nations to finance the cost of their occupation. The undated notes were issued from 1939 to 1945. We offer the complete set of all six occupation notes: 50 Pfennig, 1, 2, 5, 20 and 50 Reichsmark. The three lower denomination notes have no vignettes other than a small German eagle. The 5 Reichsmark pictures a factory worker and a farmer on the front and the Berlin War Memorial on the back. The 20 Reichsmark depicts Albrecht Durer’s drawing “The Architect” on the front and the Brandenburg Gate on the back. The 50 Reichsmark features the portrait of a woman on the front and Marienburg castle on the back.

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FIRST BANKNOTES OF EAST GERMANY  

This set includes the first six banknotes issued by East Germany.  Included are the 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Mark dated 1948. In response to the Soviet Union trying to undermine the German economy after World War II by printing vast amounts of Allied Military currency, the Western Allies (U.S., Great Britain and France) released a new currency, called the Deutsche Mark on June 20, 1948, for circulation in the zones they controlled.  The Deutsche Mark replaced the Allied Military currency as well as the Nazi era Reichsmark and Rentenmark that was in circulation.  Citizens were given only a limited time to exchange their old currency for the new currency.  The Soviets took 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.  

ALSO SEE:

 FIRST COINS OF EAST GERMANY: 3 COIN SET 1 - 10 PFENNIG 1948-50 KM1-3

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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 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 a bunker by teenagers who found a hidden entrance to the bunker, 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 8 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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USA

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Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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