WORLD PAPER MONEY
BY COUNTRY A to H

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AFGHANISTAN 10,000 AFGHANI BANKNOTE

The 10,000 Afghani was the highest denomination ever issued by Afghanistan.  It was needed due to severe inflation due to the Afghan civil war, in which various warlords and the Taliban were fighting for control of the country.  Starting in 1993, various warlords claiming to represent the Afghan government contracted with banknote printers in Russia and the United Kingdom to print the notes.  Of course, this only made inflation worse.  In 1996 Taliban declared them worthless, however they continued to circulate in many areas of the nation until the notes were replaced in 2002 with new banknotes after the American invasion of Afghanistan. The front features the Friday Mosque in Herat (Masjid-i Jami') and the seal of the Afghanistan Bank which an image of an ancient Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm minted circa 171-179BC and two cornucopias spilling out coins.  The back depicts the 11th century Qala-e-Bost Gateway.  It is a beautiful banknote issued during a troubled time in a troubled nation.

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BANKNOTE 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 small, low denomination notes to help alleviate the coin shortage. 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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BLUEBIRD ON BEAUTIFUL BERMUDA BILL

The Bermuda 2 Dollar note features a colorful Eastern Bluebird surrounded by red frangipani flowers on the front.  Sailboats and a butterfly are above the bird and a stature of Queen Elizabeth II is beneath the bird.  The back includes the Royal Navy Dockyard Clock Tower and the statue of Neptune at the Bermuda Maritime Museum.   A thick Optiks security thread featuring a map of Bermuda runs through the note.  The attractive vertical note is dated 2009 and measures 136 x 69mm.

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SCARCE BANKNOTE FROM SHORT-LIVED BIAFRA

After years of persecution by the Muslim majority who controlled Nigeria, the oil-rich and heavily Christian south-eastern portion of the country declared itself the independent Republic of Biafra in May, 1967. The independence was to be short-lived however. After over two years of bloody civil war, in which as many as two million people died, Biafra was forced to surrender to Nigeria in January of 1970.  In 1968 Biafra contracted to have banknotes printed by Casa de Moeda in Portugal.  The undated 1 Pound note is green and features a small palm tree on the front and the Biafran arms on the back.

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HAMMER & SICKLE BANKNOTES FROM BULGARIA

Following World War II Bulgaria became one the most loyal and closely allied satellite states of the Soviet Union.  In 1952 Bulgaria did a major currency reform, doing a 100 to 1 revaluation of the Lev and releasing new banknotes and coins, which were all dated 1951.  The 3 and 5 Leva notes featured the Soviet hammer and sickle on one side of the note, and the Bulgarian coat of arms on the other.  Both notes have a watermark the includes the hammer and sickle and initials of the Bulgarian National Bank.  The notes were printed in Russia.

Item PM-BG-SET2 BULGARIA 3 & 5 LEVA NOTES, 1951, P81 & P82 UNC. $5.00

Also see:
FIRST COINS OF COMMUNIST BULGARIA : 7 COIN SET 1 - 50 STOTINIKI, 1951-59

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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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CHINA 2025 YEAR OF THE SNAKE COIN AND BANKNOTE

China released a 2025 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin and a colorful 2024 20 Yuan polymer banknote to commemorate the Year of the Snake.  The 27mm coin depicts a traditional artistic paper cutting of a snake, a palace lantern, and plants the reverse.  The denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design is on the obverse. The large number 10 contains latent images, which change from Western to Chinese characters as the coin is moved.  The 20 Yuan note features a stylized snake, the denomination in SPARK optical and a clear window on the front.  The back features three children hanging a Spring Festival banner in front of Shanxi residents and legends in Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang.


ALSO SEE:
AUSTRALIA 2025 YEAR OF THE SNAKE SILVER DOLLAR

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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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CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA $10 NOTE

This Confederate 10 Dollar note dated February 17, 1864 were part of the seventh and final series of notes issued by the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.  According to the legend they were "Payable two years after the ratification of a peace treaty between the Confederate States and the United States of America".  With the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865 they were never paid.  The 10 Dollar note depicts horsemen pulling a large cannon, with fighting going on in the background.  Also pictured is Robert M.T. Hunter who served as the Confederate Secretary of State and later as a Confederate Senator.  The back features the denomination in words and numerals.  It is approximately 7" x 3" (180 x 80mm). The notes are hand signed and hand numbered.

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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 5,000,000 Dinara note dated 1993.   The note features the Knin fortress on a hill on one side, and the Serbian arms on the other.  The Croatian 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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DJIBOUTI 40 FRANCS NOTE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

Djibouti recently released this colorful 40 Franc note to celebrate their 40 years of independence from France. The attractive note won multiple awards for its distinctive and attractive design.  Djibouti is a small nation at the mouth of the Red Sea.  Due to its strategic location, the United States, France, China and Saudi Arabia all have military bases in Djibouti.  The front of the colorful note depicts a Whale Shark swimming through a coral garden. The Whale Shark is the largest species of fish and can weigh up to 47,000 pounds (21,000 kg).  Other fish and shells are visible only when the note it tilted.  The back depicts containerships and cranes.  The note has a watermark of the arms of Djibouti.  The note is 152 x 69mm.

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BEAUTIFUL & IMPRESSIVE EAST CARIBBEAN POLYMER $2 NOTE 

International Bank Note Society 2024 Bank Note of the Winner
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank issued its first Two Dollar note to commemorate the bank's 40th anniversary and it is impressive!  It is a candidate for the International Bank Note Society Banknote of the year.  The bank provides coins and currency for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  It went all out on this circulating commemorative note.  The front of the 2023 polymer note depicts famed cricketeer Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, “The Master Blaster.”  Also on the front is a conch shell, the Central Bank building and reflective silver and iridescent gold images of sea turtles and fish swimming in the clear window towards the bottom.  The back features a map of the islands and an underwater scene with colorful tropical fish, corals and a turtle.  Both sides of the note include the bank's 40th anniversary logo. The note glows in multiple colors under ultraviolet (UV) light. It is 132 x 65mm.   It is a lovely banknote for any collection.

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GERMAN EMPIRE COIN & CURRENCY SETS

In 1871 Otto Von Bismarck united the 26 independent German States under Prussian King Wilhelm I, forming the Second Reich, also known as the German Empire. During its 47 years of existence, the German Empire became the industrial, technological, and scientific giant of Europe and the world's third largest economy.  It created a colonial empire and possessed the world strongest army.  The Empire disintegrated as a result of Germany's defeat in World War I.  This six-coin set includes the silver 1 Mark, which was minted from 1873 until 1916; the silver 1/2 Mark, minted from 1905 to 1919; the copper-nickel 5 and 10 Pfennig and the copper 1 and 2 Pfennig, which were minted from 1874 to 1916.  All six coins feature the Imperial German Eagle on the reverse and the denomination on the obverse.  The coins grade Fine or Extra Fine.   The set of 3 banknotes consist of the 20 Mark, 100 Mark and 1000 Mark notes dated between 1908 and 1914. The blue 20 Mark featured a crowned imperial German Eagle at the upper right and measures 136x90mm.  The blue 100 Mark includes a large crowned imperial German Eagle on the front.  The back features two women holding a large medallion depicting a woman's head. The large note measures 160 x105mm (6.3" x 4.1"). The brown 1000 Mark note features two allegorical women representing seafaring and agriculture flanking the imperial German arms. The over-sized note is 187mm x 110mm (7.3” x 4.3”). It is printed on special ridged hemp paper containing blue silk threads.  When first issued the three notes could be redeemed for over 12 ounces of gold on demand!   After the start of World War I Germany halted the redemption of banknotes for gold - but kept on printing banknotes.  By 1922 the notes were virtually worthless due to inflation.  It is an impressive and historic currency set.

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WORLD WAR I ERA GERMAN MUNICIPAL CURRENCY

As World War I drew to a close many municipalities issued currency.  These notes are called grossgeldscheine, which translates as large banknotes.  Most are full sized notes dating between October 1918 and February 1919 with denominations from 1 to 50 Mark.  We have a nice selection of these historic, hard to find notes.  Some are punch cancelled.

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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.

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SCHLESWIG PLEBISCITE NOTE FROM FLENSBURG

After World War I, control of the Schleswig-Holstein region was disputed between Denmark and Germany.  Historically, control of various portions of the region had alternated between Denmark and Germany over the centuries.  It was decided to hold two plebiscites and let the inhabitants of the regions decide which country they wished to join.  The first plebiscite held in the northern portion elected to become part of Denmark. The southern portion elected to join Germany.  The town of Flensburg is at the northern end of the southern portion and a vast majority of its population was of German ancestry.  Shortly after the plebiscite, Flensburg issued this 25 Pfennig note showing the Danes having lost a tug-of-war with the Germans and the Germans welcoming them.  The date of the plebiscite, March 14, 1920 appears above the Danes.  The reverse consists of text.  It is an unusual note reflecting a vote.

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LOW AND HIGH DENOMINATION GERMAN MUNICIPAL NOTES

Germany’s hyperinflation is clearly demonstrated in these municipal emergency banknotes.  The low denomination notes issued around the end of World War I were needed because of a shortage of small change. The second issue, done just a few years later in 1923 was needed because inflation was so bad that cities printed their own money to pay their workers.  From the City of Frankfurt is a 25 Pfennig dated November 1, 1919. It would buy about 1 loaf of bread.  A view of the city is on the back.  The Frankfurt 100 million Mark note is dated September 28, 1923.  It would buy about 2 loaves of bread.  The back of the note depicts the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew on the left and St. Paul’s Church on the right.  Both were severely damaged in World War II.  From the City of Marburg is a 50 Pfennig note dated between 1918 and 1921, shortly before the end of World War I.  It depicts the Town Hall and St. George’s Column (now a fountain) on the front and the city emblem on the back. The Marburg 20 Milliarden Mark (20 Billion Mark) note is dated October 27, 1923.  It pictures St. Elizabeth’s Church and a monument on the front and is blank on the back.  They are fascinating historical symbols of Germany’s hyperinflation.

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 ST. MARTIN'S  EVE FEAST NOTE FROM NORDHAUSEN

St. Martin's Day, also called Old Halloween, takes place November 11.  It marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter.  In Germany it was celebrated with feasting, bonfires, processions and small gifts for children. The back of this 1921 dated 25 Pfennig note from the German city of Nordhausen depicts three men drinking and feasting on a traditional St. Martin's Goose along with two St. Martin candles, a cooked goose and fish on platters. Below is a poem which roughly translates as "With a sip of Korn (a strong liquor produced in Nordhausen), A slice of meat, That’s the way the Nordhauser people celebrate with a St. Martin's goose feast".  The front of the note features the Nordhausen coat of arms.  The colorful note is 84x55mm.

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ATTRACTIVE AND COLORFUL GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES

These attractive, colorful small (most less than 4 inches - 90cm long) were issued by communities throughout Germany during and after World War I.  They quickly became a popular with collectors and by 1921 many thousand different types were produced.  They have a wide variety of themes, including fairy tales, local history, monuments, and political satire.  Every lot is different, however there may be duplication between lots.  They are a fun and fascinating collectible and remarkably inexpensive considering they are over 100 years old!

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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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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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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. 

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POPULAR GERMAN 100,000 MARK INFLATION NOTE

This 100,000 Mark note dated February 1, 1923 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 have the 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 mint master of Nuremberg in the early 16th century.  The back has guilloche patterns and the denomination.  The note is 140x90mm.  It is a wonderful lesson about inflation.

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GERMAN SET OF 9 GERMAN NOTES 1 MARK - 2 MILION MARK 1920-1923INFLATION ERA NOTE SET

This set of nine banknotes issued by the German government vividly illustrates the 1920-1923 hyperinflation.  This set includes the 1 and 2 Mark dated March 1, 1920. The notes were needed because all silver 1 Mark coins had disappeared from circulation.  The large-size (162 x 108mm) 100 Mark note is dated November 1, 1920 and depicts the head of the Bamberg Horseman.  It was worth about $1.50 when first issued.  Also included is the 500 Mark dated July 7, 1922;  1000 Mark dated September 15, 1922; 5000 Mark dated December 2, 1922 and 20,000 Mark dated February 20, 1923. The magnificent, large 100,000 Mark is dated February 1, 1923, features a cut from Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait "The Merchant Georg Gisze".  The last note in the collection is the 2 Million Mark note dated August 9, 1923.  It was worth less than a dollar when introduced and would be virtually worthless in less than a month.
The notes grade Fine to Almost Uncirculated.  It is an impressive and historic collection showing what happens when government spending gets out of control.

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GERMAN NATIONAL RAILWAY CURRENCY

In 1923, Germany experienced what was then the world’s worst inflation. Prices increased hourly and the government could not print currency fast enough to meet the demand.  In order to pay employees and suppliers, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (the German National Railways) printed its own currency.  Unlike most of the corporate or municipal issues of the period, the Railway notes were accepted throughout most of Germany. In order to pay workers and suppliers notes were issued from the company headquarters in Berlin as well as regional railway offices throughout the country. It is interesting to see how the denominations increased from week to week.  In German Milliarden is 1 Billion in English. Many notes are printed only on one side.  These sell out quickly, alternates appreciated.

NOTES ISSUED FROM DEUTSCHE REICHBAHN BERLIN HEADQUARTERS:

NOTE ISSUED BY THE FRANKFURT AM MAIN REGIONAL RAILWAY OFFICE

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GERMANY INFLATION NOTGELD NOTES  

By the summer of 1923 inflation roared totally out of control in Germany.  The federal government couldn't print money fast enough, so municipalities and companies printed their own money to pay workers and buy supplies. Of course, only increased the money supply making inflation even worse. These notes are known as inflation notgeld (emgergency money).   In most cases the notes would only be accepted in the communities they were issued, and then, sometimes only reluctantly.   The notes clearly demonstrate what happens when governments print too much money to cover their expenses.
 We offer selections of this inflation notgeld.  Most are denominated between 100,000 Mark and 100 Milliarden (100 billion) Mark and most date between July and November 1923.   Most are full sized notes.  Some have attractive designs, others have simple designs and are printed on one side only reflecting the rush to produce the notes.   Every lot is different, though there may be some duplication between lots.

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RARE 1923 GERMAN GOLD MARK NOTES

During Germany’s spiraling 1923 hyperinflation some organizations issued bank notes denominated in both gold and the United States Dollar (which was tied to gold at $20.67 per troy ounce).  These notes were issued by the Association of the South German Textile Employers based in Hof in an attempt to pay their workers a fair wage at a time when money quickly became virtually worthless.  The notes are dated November 26, 1923, shortly after German introduced the Rentenmark in an effort to bring inflation under control and Germany was still in the midst of monetary chaos.  The notes are printed on one side only.  One is valued at 42 Pfennig-Gold = 1/10 Dollar.  The other is 2.1 Mark-Gold = 1/2 Dollar.

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

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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. The Reichsbank was first authorized to issue cufrrency on August 20, 1924.  Unlike coins, the date is not the year the note was printed. These Reichsbank notes were supposedly backed by gold, but could not be redeemed for gold.

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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 Konversionskasse 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 guilloches overprinted on the left side of the 1933 notes, with the lower guilloche containing the date 1934. The large sized notes measure 200 x 115mm.  The notes are Uncirculated and perforated "ENTWERTET" (CANCELLED). They are historic and rarely seen items.

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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, a special currency, called Reichskreditkassenschein was created 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, but 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 1940 to 1945.   The 5 Reichsmark note depicts the head of farmer shouldering a scythe and the head of a worker shouldering a hammer on the front.  The back depicts the Neue Wache building in Berlin.  Originally built in 1816 as a guard house for the Prussian royal palace, since 1931 it has served as a war memorial.

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BETHEL FOUNDATION CURRENCY FROM GERMANY

The Bethel Foundation (Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel) was founded in 1867 in Prussia to care for epileptics.  Its mission has expanded to care for mentally ill and other challenged people.  It is headquartered in the Bethel district of Bielefeld and has facilities in eight German states serving 200,000 people per year.  It issued its first currency in 1908.  After World War II it was the only private institution in West Germany authorized to issue its own currency.  The notes are accepted at Bethel facilities and selected merchants.   This four-note set of Bethel currency includes the 50 Pfennig, 2, 5 and 20 Mark notes dated from 1957 to 1973.  In 2002 the notes were replaced with Euro denominated currency. 

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NEW FLORIDA GOLDBACK NOTES

The popular Goldback series continued in 2025 with the introduction of the Florida Goldback. Goldback notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note has a protective plastic coating. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. The 1 Goldback note contains 1/1000 troy ounce of gold and measures 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical designs. 

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PREVIOUS 1 GOLDBACK NOTES

Goldback Aurum notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note is coated with a protective plastic coating so it can be circulated without the gold tearing. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. Each 1 Goldback note contains 1/1000 troy ounce of gold and measures 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical style designs. 

The first goldback was the Utah 1 Goldback released  in 2019.  It features Prudence as a Native American seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree.

The Nevada 1 Goldback depicts Charity patterned after a depiction of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin, Nevada.  Catholicism is Nevada’s most dominant religion and St. Augustine’s is the oldest Catholic Church building in the state. Like all Goldback designs, the art contains many levels of symbolism.  Some major symbols of Charity featured include: the Sierra Nevada Lily, which is in the container below Mary’s feet to the right; the Mary Magdalene Rose, in the container on the left; cherubs crowning Mary and Burning Hearts to either side of her; Charity’s lit candle in her hand, and Nevada’s sun, rising over the mountains seen through the window behind her. The window sill and the columns on each side of the design, are each inspired from St. Mary of the Mountains Catholic Cathedral in Virginia City.


The New Hampshire 1 Goldback depicts Grace as an Abenaki Native American woman wearing traditional dress and beads in front of her wigwam.. Below is a River Otter representing resourcefulness and finding joy in the moment with both attributes being key parts of grace. Also incorporated into the design are elements ofthe Jewish Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, being celebrated alongside the Thanksgiving Holiday. These include the Shofar trumpet next to the wigwam door, the pumpkin, corn, beans, chestnuts, and honeycomb represented by the beehive in the tree.

The Wyoming 1 Goldback features Reverentia, or Reverence as a  Shoshone woman wearing a traditional buckskin dress.  A Bald Eagle is perched on her arm.  In the forground are sunflowers.  In the background is a bison and the formation known as Devil's Tower.

South Dakota became the fifth state to have a Goldback note. The  South Dakota 1 Goldback note depicts Pax or Peace as a Lakota Sioux woman in traditional regalia performing the hoop dance.  Also in the design is Bear Butte, a sacred mountain also known as Mato Paha, an eagle, buffalo, wolf, a traditional Cancega drum and a Prairie Crocus. 

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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.   The 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. 

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ANCIENT GREEK COIN ON UNCIRCULATED OLD GREEK BANKNOTE

This 10 Drachmai note of the Kingdom of Greece is dated April 6, 1940, exactly one year before Nazi German troops invaded Greece and Yugoslavia.  The front of the features an ancient Greek coin depicting Demeter, the goddess of harvest and grains. The note replaced the 1930 silver 10 Drachmai coin that depicted the same design. The back depicts the main building of the Academy of Athens, Greece’s top university. The neoclassical building was started in 1859 but not competed until 1887.  For many years it housed the national numismatic collection before being turned over the newly formed Academy of Athens in 1926.  The note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient in Germany and is 83mm x 53mm.

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GUATEMALA NOTE COMMEMORATES 100th ANNIVERSARY OF QUETZAL CURRENCY  

In 2024 Guatemala recently introduced an attractive circulating 1 Quetzal note to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Quetzal monetary unit. The front depicts a colorful Quetzal bird, the national bird of Guatemala, an impressive gold holographic device, the portrait of General José María Orellana and the Tikal Temple. General Orellana became President in 1921 in a coup sponsored by the United Fruit Company.  He implemented the currency reform that introduced the Quetzal. He also ruthlessly suppressed strikes by Guatemalan workers against the United Fruit Company.  He died under mysterious circumstances in 1926 one day after declaring martial law. The back of the note depicts the Bank of Guatemala building.  The note also incorporates ultraviolet images and front/back registration images of the Mayan glyph for the numeral one and the Guatemalan flag. It is an impressive note at an attractive price. The note is 156 x 67mm.

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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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World Paper Money by Country I to Z

INDIAN HUNDI NOTES

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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 8.75% 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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