Catalog
| Issuer | Cham (notgeld), City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 10 Pfennigs (10 Pfennige) (0.10) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 1.69 g |
| Diameter | 20.3 mm |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Funck#79.4, Men05#4349.4, Men18#5523.4 |
| Obverse description | Pearl rim Surrounding city name top and bottom of Coat of Arms |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | STADTGEMEINDE CHAM |
| Reverse description | Legend surrounding denomination centered |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | KRIEGS-NOTMÜNZE 10 ★ 1917 ★ |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1917 - F#79.4 - 50 000 1917 - F#79.4 g) Obverse: Baseline T ends above the middle of first tower, tip of coat of arms close to H from CHAM. all letters close to coat of arms. - 1917 - F#79.4a) Obverse: Bottom of second T from STADT ends left above first tower, right edge of central tower and first E-end in GEMEINDE compare, Reverse: 1917 below 6.0 mm wide (first 1 measured without baseline), K-baseline - baseline from 1(917) is 7.5 mm - 1917 - F#79.4b) like a), but 1917 is 5.5 mm wide, K - 1 is 6.0 mm - 1917 - F#79.4c) like a), but 1917 is 5.0 mm wide, K - 1 is 7.5 mm - 1917 - F#79.4d) like a), but left side of central tower and E-baseline compare, Reverse: Baseline K - Star center is 3.5 mm. - 1917 - F#79.4e) like d) but K - Star center is 3.0 mm, O fom NOTMÜNZE above zero at the rightside. - 1917 - F#79.4f) like e) but O exactly above zero. - 1917 - F#79.4h) Obverse: Baseline T ends above the right side of first tower, H from CHAM stands higher than A, baseline last E from GEMEINDE ends at the height of the top tassel on the coat of arms pendant, Reverse: baseline of 1 in value points right beside da - 1917 - F#79.4i) like h), but baseline of 1 in value points to the middle of dash - 1917 - F#79.4k) like h), but baseline last E ends at the height of second tassel, Reverse: 1 - 0 ist 1.0 mm - 1917 - F#79.4l) like k), but 1 - 0 ist 1.5 mm. - 1917 - F#79.4m) like h), but in CHAM H and A are at the same height. - 1917 - F#79.4n) like m), but basline of 1 in value points at the middle of dash. - |
| Numisquare ID | 1023960560 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 10 Pfennig coin from the City of Cham, issued in 1917, is a quintessential example of Notgeld, or emergency money, prevalent across the German Empire during World War I. As the war consumed vast resources, precious metals were diverted for military production, leading to severe shortages of circulating coinage. Municipalities like Cham were compelled to issue their own substitute currencies, often in base metals such as iron. This piece serves as a tangible artifact of the profound economic dislocation and local ingenuity required to maintain commerce and daily life amidst national crisis.
Artistry: Given its function as an emergency issue during wartime, the artistic approach to this 10 Pfennig coin is primarily utilitarian. Engravers for such mass-produced notgeld issues were typically anonymous, with the focus on clear legibility rather than elaborate design. While some notgeld incorporated local symbols or Art Nouveau influences, iron issues from 1917 generally prioritized functional clarity and ease of rapid minting. The design would feature the denomination and issuing authority on one side, with the date on the reverse, likely executed with minimal ornamentation to facilitate production under strained conditions.
Technical/Grading: Struck in iron, this 10 Pfennig coin measures 20.3 mm and weighs 1.69 grams. Iron coinage is highly susceptible to corrosion, making environmental preservation a critical factor in grading. High points prone to wear typically include the highest relief elements of the lettering, such as the tops of numbers and serifs, and any central motif. Technical strike quality for wartime iron notgeld can be variable; rapid production often resulted in inconsistent strikes, weak details, or minor planchet imperfections. Rust and surface pitting are common, significantly impacting a coin's aesthetic appeal and obscuring original strike details.