Catalog
1 Rupie
| Issuer | Kaiserliches Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika |
|---|---|
| Year | 1916 |
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| Value | 1 Rupee |
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| Obverse description | A sparse, utilitarian emergency issue printed on plain paper. The serial number 2655 appears in letterpress at upper centre and lower right, flanked by the series designation A4 at upper left and lower right. The central text block carries a bilingual guarantee inscription in German and Swahili attesting full backing by the Imperial Government of German East Africa, followed by a German anti-counterfeiting penalty clause. A violet cancellation or control stamp is struck diagonally across the face, and a small rectangular vignette or seal appears at lower left. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Der Gegenwert dieser Banknote ist bei dem Kaiserlichen Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika voll hinterlegt. Kadri ya noti hii imewekwa sanihi katika Kaiserliches Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika. Wer Banknoten nachmacht oder verfälscht oder nachgemachte oder verfälschte sich verschafft und in Verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter 2 Jahren bestraft. |
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| Comments |
Deutsch-Ostafrika's 1916 emergency issues are among the most unusual paper money produced during the First World War. Cut off from Germany by the British naval blockade, the colonial administration under Governor Heinrich Schnee — and effectively under the military command of Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck — could not import printed currency. These notes were produced locally in Dar es Salaam using whatever materials were available, including recycled paper stocks.
The series circulated under extraordinary conditions: the colony was never fully conquered, and Lettow-Vorbeck's forces remained in the field until after the Armistice. Notes from this issue were still technically in use among a retreating army that had not yet surrendered.