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Poppy to remember World War I   WORLD WAR I REMEMBERED   Poppy to remember World War I

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.  

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THE BEGINNINGS


GERMAN EMPIRE COIN & CURRENCY SETS

German Empire 6 coin set: 1 Pfennig - silver 1 Mark 1874-1918
German Empire 20, 100 & 1000 Mark banknotes 1908-1914
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 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.
Item DE-EMP-SET6 GERMAN EMPIRE 6 COIN SET 1 PFENNIG - 1 MARK 1874-1918 F-XF $20.00
Item PM-DE-SET3 GERMAN EMPIRE 20, 100 & 1000 MARK BANKNOTES 1908-1914 F-VF $6.00
Item PM-DE-SET3x10 10 OF THE ABOVE GERMAN EMPIRE 3 NOTE SETS  $39.00
Item PM-DE-SET3x100 100  OF THE ABOVE GERMAN EMPIRE 3 NOTE SETS  $195.00



BOLSHEVIK 5 RUBLE NOTE OF RUSSIA

Russia 5 Rubles note, 1909 P35Russia 5 Rubles note, 1909 P35
Bolshevik type 5 Rubles - Reduced size image
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
Item PM-RU-5R-BOLSH RUSSIA-BOLSHEVIK 5 RUBLES 1909 series number P35 VF $5.00



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THE WAR YEARS  1914-1918


WWI AUSTRIAN POW CAMP NOTES 

Austria Aschach Prisoner of War Camp 10 Heller note (circa 1916)Austria Aschach Prisoner of War Camp 20 Heller note (circa 1916)
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. 
Item PM-AT-POW10 AUSTRIA, ASCHACH POW CAMP 10 HELLER NOTE AU-UNC. out
Item PM-AT-POW20 AUSTRIA, ASCHACH POW CAMP 20 HELLER NOTE AU-UNC. $15.00



IRON COINS OF GERMANY  Restocked

Germany iron 5 and 10 Pfennig 1915-1922 KM18 & KM19Because copper and nickel were needed for the war effort, Germany switched the copper-nickel 5 Pfennig to iron in 1915, and the 10 Pfennig to iron in 1916.  Both coins continued to be struck in iron until 1922, by which time inflation had eroded their value so much they were no longer needed. Both coins have the denomination and date on one side and the Germanic Eagle on the other.
Item DE-IRON GERMANY IRON 5 & 10 PFENNIG 1915-1922 KM19 & 20 VF-XF $3.00



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THE AFTERMATH


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

Russia 1000 Rubles 1919 "Bablonian" Note with inscription "Workers of the world unite!" in 7 languanges
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.
Item PM-RU-500R-19 RUSSIA 500 RUBLES NOTE 1919 P103 VG-F "WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE! $15.00



BANKNOTE OF UPPER AUSTRIA

Upper Austria 50 Heller 1921 PS120 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.
Item PM-UPAT-50 UPPER AUSTRIA 50 HELLER 1921 PS121 UNC. $3.00



 BONN CELEBRATES BEETHOVEN Restocked

Bonn 10 Pfennig 1920 BeethovenThe 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.
Item BONN-10PF-BEET BONN, GERMANY 10 PFENNIG 1920 BEETHOVEN XF-AU $5.00
Item BONN-25PF-BEET BONN, GERMANY 25 PFENNIG 1920 BEETHOVEN XF-AU $7.00
Item BONN-50PF-BEET BONN, GERMANY 50 PFENNIG 1920 BEETHOVEN XF-AU $7.00



HIGH-GRADE WEIMAR GERMAN BANKNOTE

Germany 1 Mark banknote, March 1, 1920, P58Germany 2 Mark banknote, March 1, 1920, P60
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.
Item PM-DE-1+2M GERMANY 1 & 2 MARK NOTES 1920 P58 & P59 UNC. $5.00


GERMAN WEIMAR REPUBLIC 100 MARK BANKNOTE

Germany 100 Mark note, 1920The 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.
Item PM-DE-100M-20-C GERMANY-WEIMAR 100 MARK NOTE, 1920 P69 Fine-VF $3.00
Item PM-DE-100M-20x10 10 OF THE ABOVE GERMAN 100 MARK NOTES, 1920 P69 VG-VF $15.00
Item PM-DE-100M-20x100 100 OF THE ABOVE GERMAN 100 MARK NOTES, 1920 P69 VG-VF $75.00
Item PM-DE-100M-20-U GERMANY-WEIMAR 100 MARK NOTE, 1920 P69b AU-UNC. $10.00




POPULAR GERMAN 100,000 MARK INFLATION NOTE

Germany 100,000 Mark note 1922 P83
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.
Item PM-DE-100,000M-C GERMANY 100,000 MARK NOTE, 1922 P83a VF $5.00
Item PM-DE-100,000M-U GERMANY 100,000 MARK NOTE, 1922 P83a UNC. $18.00



WEIMAR REPUBLIC COMMEMORATES 3rd ANNIVERSARY WITH 3 MARK

Germany aluminum 3 Mark coin, 1922 KM29
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.   
Item DE-3M-A GERMANY 3 MARK 1922-A BERLIN MINT KM29 BU $5.00
Item DE-3M-G GERMANY 3 MARK 1922-G KARLSRUHE MINT KM29 BU $5.00
Item DE-3Mx10 10 pieces of GERMANY 3 MARK 1922 KM29, mixed A & G mints BU $29.50




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 

Coblenz, Germany iron 10 & 25 Pfennig coins, 1918During 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.
Item COBLENZ COBLENZ 10 & 25 PFENNIG 1918 WAR MONEY VF $7.00



METAL GERMAN NOTGELD COINS

Germany World War I era notgeld coinsNotgeld 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.
Item DE-METNOTx1 1 GERMAN METAL NOTGELD COIN, F-VF $3.50
Item DE-METNOTx10 10 DIFFERENT GERMAN METAL NOTGELD COINS, F-VF $35.00



ATTRACTIVE AND  COLORFUL GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES Germany small municipal 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 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).  Most notes are Uncirculated, Groups of less than 200 notes are also available
Item PM-DE-NOTx200 200 MOSTLY DIFFERENT GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES $149.50
Item PM-DE-NOTx100 100 DIFFERENT GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES $89.50
Item PM-DE-NOTx25 25 DIFFERENT GERMAN NOTGELD NOTES, $22.50
Item PM-DE-NOTx1 1 GERMAN NOTGELD NOTE $1.00










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GERMAN INFLATION POSTAGE STAMPS

Germany inflation era postage stamps: 10 Pfennig - 5 Million Mark
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.
Item STMP-DE-INFL27 27 DIFFERENT UNUSED GERMAN POSTAGE STAMPS 1918-1923 $12.00



HISTORIC 1930 YOUNG PLAN BONDS ATTEMPT TO PAY GERMAN WAR REPARATIONS

Germany - 1000 Swiss Francs 1930 Young Plan Bond with coupons
After its defeat in World War I, Germany was saddled with heavy war reparations, the repayment of which 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 ab  historic `000 Swiss Francs 1930 Young Plan Bond.   The bonds paid 5 1/2% interest.  They 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 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.
Item BND-YOUNG-SWISS 1000 SWISS FRANCS 1930 YOUNG BOND VF-cancelled $7.00







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REMEMBERING THE WAR


WORLD WAR I REMEMBRANCE COINS FROM CANADA

Canada 25 Cents 2015 Colored PoppyCanada 25 Cents 2015 poppy regular (uncolored) strikeObverse of Canada 25 Cents 2015
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.
Item CA-25c15-COLOR CANADA 25 CENTS 2015 COLOR POPPY, UNC. out
Item CA-25c15-REG CANADA 25 CENTS 2015 REGULAR (uncolored) UNC. $1.00


Also see:
Click HereWORLD WAR II COINS & CURRENCY

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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.


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