WORLD WAR I REMEMBERED   

2014 to 2018 marks the 100th Anniversary of World War I, also known as "The Great War" or the "The War to End All Wars".   The war and its aftermath created numerous coin and currency issues.  Old empires were swept away and new nations created. The lands of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire went to the form the nations of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and with parts going to create Poland and Yugoslavia. The collapse of the Czarist government of Russia brought on by the Bolshevik Revolution allowed Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to gain independence.  Other portions of the Russian Empire also gained temporary independence before coming back under Russian control.  From the lands of the Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine (now Israel, Jordan and maybe someday an independent Palestine), Kingdom of Hejaz and the Sultanate of Nejd (today Saudi Arabia), the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf were created.    The financial and political instability that followed the war helped instigate World War II. This page includes a number of historic banknotes and coins associated with World War I and its aftermath.  

THE BEGINNINGS

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 possesed the world strongest army.  The Empire disintegrated as a result of Germany's defeat in World War I.  This five-coin set includes 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 five 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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BOLSHEVIK 5 RUBLE NOTE OF RUSSIA

World War I brought about the fall Russian Empire.  After the collapse of the Czarist government in 1917, the Provisional Russian Government and the Bolsheviks continued to issue the Czarist 5 Ruble note dated 1909.  The only significant difference between the Czarist and the Bolshevik issues is that the Czarist notes had a full serial number consisting of two letters and six digits, while the Bolshevik notes had only a series number consisting of two letters and 3 digits.  The lack of serial numbers and backdating the notes allowed them to issue large quantities of unbacked currency.   The beautiful, large (99mm x 158), blue and pink vertical format 5 Ruble note features the Romanov Imperial Eagle on both sides.  When first issued, the note could be exchanged 3.87 grams of gold, which today would be worth over $200!  It is a large, impressive piece of historical currency from a turbulent time in Russian histor

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THE WAR YEARS  1914-1918

WWI AUSTRIAN POW CAMP NOTES 

These 10 and 20 Heller notes were issued by the Aschach A.D. Prisoner of War camp during World War I.   The camp was located near the small town of Aschach an der Donau, which is in Upper Austria on the Danube River. The POW Camp primarily held Officers and Non-commissioned officers from Serbia and Montenegro. The Serbian government estimated some 6000 of its citizens died at the camp due to poor living conditions, lack of hygiene and inadequate medical care.  Today Aschach is a town of about 2000 people, which is not much larger than it was during the War. The undated notes have the same design on the front and back, featuring a "modern" Austrian eagle. The undated 110 x 70mm notes were issued from about 1916 to 1918. 

THE AFTERMATH

RUSSIAN "BABYLONIAN" NOTES URGES "WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!

In 1919, after the Bolshevik victory in the Russian Revolution, the fledgling Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, issued a series of currency notes with the inscriptions "WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!" written in seven languages: Russian, German, French, Italian, Greek, English, Arabic, and Chinese. Because of the linguistic multiplicity, these notes are known as "Babylonians," a reference to the Biblical Tower of Babel.  The phrase is perhaps the most well-known line in the "Communist Manifesto", written in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.   Also featured on the notes is the hammer and sickle within a wreath.  All three notes have a similar design featuring the inscriptions on one side and the denomination and date on the other.

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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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 BONN CELEBRATES BEETHOVEN 

The German city of Bonn commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven on these 1920 10, 25 and 50 Pfennig coins.  All three coins have the same basic design with  Beethoven's bust and the dates 1770 and 1920 are on the obverse and the denomination is on the reverse. The coins are struck in zinc plated iron.  Beethoven was born in Bonn and studied there before moving to Vienna in 1792.  During and after World War I many German cities and towns issued their own coins, called notgeld (emergency money) to alleviate a severe coin shortage brought on by the war.

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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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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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THE FAMOUS GERMAN “VAMPIRE NOTE” 

This large ( 180 x 100mm - approx. 7” x 4”) 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.

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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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GERMAN 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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WEIMAR REPUBLIC COMMEMORATES 3rd ANNIVERSARY WITH 3 MARK

In 1922 Germany issued a circulating 3 Mark coin commemorating the 3rd Anniversary of the Weimar Constitution.  The denomination, date and mintmark are on the obverse.  A Germanic Eagle and the legend "VERFASSUNGSTAG 11. AUGUST 1922" (Constitution day, August 11, 1922) is on the other.  The aluminum coin is 28mm aluminum and 1.55mm thick. The coins catalog $25 each, but due to a fortunate purchase we can offer them for substantially less than that.   

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GERMAN NOTGELD COINS AND PAPER 

Notgeld means "emergency money" in German, and generally refers to an extensive series of locally issued coins and currency produced during and following World War I.  Notgeld was issued in paper, metal and even porcelain and other materials.  Below is a selection of this fascinating but little known collectible.

WAR MONEY FROM COBLENZ, GERMANY 

During World War I many communities in Germany issued their own coins called "Kriegsgeld" which translates as war money. We offer a set of two Kriegsgeld from the city of Coblenz (now Koblenz) dated 1918.  The iron 10 and 25 Pfennig have the same design.  One side has the city name, arms and the legend "GULTIG BIS 1 JAHR NACH FRIEDENSSCHLUSS" which translates as "Good for 1 Year after the conclusion of Peace".  The other side has the denomination and date.

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METAL GERMAN NOTGELD COINS

Notgeld coins were struck for over 600 communities and companies in Germany between 1916 and 1922, though many are not dated.  Most are in denominated from 5 to 50 Pfennig. Typically the city arms or landmark is on one side and the denomination is on the other.  They were usually struck in zinc or iron, both of which corrode easily, so the coins may be spotted or rusted.

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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.  We recently purchased a collection from Europe with over 16,000 mostly different German notgeld notes.  The collection came packaged in envelopes, each containing 200 notes.  We checked a few envelopes and found a few duplicates in each. Feel free to order multiple lots. (Let me know if you get a lot of duplicates - I will make amends).  We have a LOT of notgeld notes. Most notes are Uncirculated,

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

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GERMAN INFLATION POSTAGE STAMPS

Germany’s post World War I inflation is reflected in their postage stamps.  This set includes 27 different German postage stamps issued between 1918 to 1923, with values ranging from 10 Pfennig (cost of a domestic letter in 1918) to 5 Million Mark (a domestic letter cost 4 Million Mark on Oct. 20, 1923).    In order to try to keep up with the soaring rates some stamps were overprinted with new values.  The stamps in this collection are all original unused stamps however some may be slightly torn or damaged.

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HISTORIC 1930 YOUNG PLAN BONDS ATTEMPT TO PAY GERMAN WAR REPARATIONS

After its defeat in World War I, Germany was saddled with heavy war reparations, the repayment of contributed to the 1923 German hyperinflation and helped bring Hitler to power.  An attempt was made in 1924 to restructure the payments, however that quickly failed.  A second attempt was made in 1929.  The proposal was known as the Young Plan.  It was named after its chairman, American industrialist Owen D. Young, who founded the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and was Chairman of General Electric.   The Young Plan reduced payments by about 20%, stretched payment out over 58 years, and created the Bank of International Settlements to facilitate the reparation payments.  One third of the annual reparations were to be paid by Germany from general revenue, however that payment could be postponed. Two thirds of the annual payments were to be financed by a consortium of American banks and were "unconditional".  In 1930 bonds were issued various currencies to help implement the plan.  The plan however quickly failed.  The stock market crash of 1929, the start of the Great Depression and the collapse of international trade made the plan infeasible. As might be expected, the plan was unpopular with most Germans and Hitler made repudiation of the war reparations a major element of his campaigns.  He repudiated the debt after becoming Chancellor in 1933. After Germany's defeat in World War II the payments were again restructured, and Germany finally paid off the last of its reparation debt and interest in 2020, 92 years after its defeat in World War I.  We offer two of the historic 1930 Young Plan Bonds: 1000 Dutch Florin (Gulden) and 1000 Swiss Francs.  The bonds paid 5 1/2% interest have texts in German, English and French.    The large sized bonds measure approximately 11.75" x 16.5" (300 x 420mm) and have been punch canceled.  The Dutch bonds include an orange Dutch revenue stamp imprint. The text of the bond indicates the equivalent value of 1000 Dutch Florin in German Reichmarks, US Dollars, British Pound Sterling, French Francs, Belgian Belgas (5 Belgian Francs), Italian Lire, Swedish Kronor and Swiss Francs.  The Swiss bonds include a partial sheet of 41 coupons, dating from June 1, 1945 to June 1 1965.  They are important but rarely seen financial instruments.

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REMEMBERING THE WAR

WORLD WAR I REMEMBRANCE COINS FROM CANADA

In 1915 Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote the immortal poem "In Flanders Fields".   The poem refers to the fields of red poppies that grew between the graves of the soldiers that died in the Battles of Ypres.  The poem first published anonymously in Great Britain, quickly grew in popularity throughout the English speaking world.  It was used in propaganda efforts and appeals to sell war bonds and recruit solders.  The red poppy became a widely recognized symbol to remember soldiers that died in conflicts.  In 2015 Canada marked the 100th anniversary of John McCrea’s famous poem with circulating commemorative 25 Cent coins.  Two versions of the copper-nickel 25 cent coin were issued, one with a realistic color depiction of a red poppy.  The other features an uncolored poppy. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverses and the coins are Uncirculated.

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Also see:
WORLD WAR II COINS & CURRENCY

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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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