Catalog
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
| Issuer | City of Helmstedt (Federal state of Brunswick) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1921 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Mark |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | The obverse carries a bold expressionist vignette printed in yellow, dark red, and black, showing a prone figure reaching out toward a large eagle in a dramatic confrontation scene. The denomination '1 M' appears in large yellow numerals at the lower right, while the date '24. 12. 21.' is inscribed in the upper right corner. A bold inscription in block lettering runs across the lower margin, and an artist's monogram 'Lu' is visible at the lower left. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | RETTET OBERSCHLESIEN! 24. 12. 21. 1 M |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
Helmstedt's Red Cross notgeld series from 1921 sits in a well-documented phase of German emergency money production, when municipalities were routinely issuing small-denomination paper to address coinage shortages driven by postwar inflation. What distinguishes the Rotes Kreuz issues is the fundraising dimension — proceeds from the sale of collector-oriented notgeld were directed toward humanitarian relief, blurring the line between circulating currency and charitable scrip. Many purchasers bought them specifically not to spend them.
Brunswick-area notgeld from this period is among the better-documented regionally, which keeps forgery risk low but also means surviving examples are plentiful.