Thursday, May 14, 2020

Inflating your collection : 1 German Empire (Weima Republic) a

After the first world war, Germany had to bare the consequences of the war. A new constitution was written in the city of Weimar. Although the country was still the 'German Empire', from the 30's on, the nazis, communists and conservatives referred to this era, as the 'Weimar Republic'.

Between 1922 and 1924, Germany's economy was a mess, there were lots of depts to be paid, and the Germans had to import way more then they could export. Prices started to raise, and the German Reichsmark lost value, day by day.

Before 1922, the German Reich issued banknotes between 10 Reichsmark (RM) and 100 RM.
German Reich Pick n° 67 - 68 front and back
For the 100 RM version, there are notes with 7 digits in the serial number, (1st picture) and 8 digits in the serial number (2nd picture reverse side) - same value.
German Reich Pick n° 69 a and b
In 1922 (1st emission) a 10000 RM is added, issued in 3 versions. (Pick 70, 71 and 72)
2 different sizes
2 different back side designs
Easily said, there are 2 large notes (70 and 71) and 1 small note (72) -  There are also 2 different designs for the back side. Note 70 has the heavily printed back side, notes 71 and 72 the light version.

Later in 1920, 2 different 500 RM notes were issued too. One comes with a similar design as n° 70.
A second one with only printing on the front. (second emission of 1922)
German Reich 74 a and b
74a has a red serial number, and 74b/c a green serial number.
The 74b has 7 digits, where the 74c has 8 digits.

The fact that similar notes (or coins) are being issued in smaler versions then the notes they succeed, is also an indication of the lost of value of a currency.
Lots of countries (except USA and serveral south American countries) issue larger notes according their face value.  Here, larger means 'higher value'.

to be continued ...

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