Catalog
| Issuer | Elberfeld, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 10 Pfennigs (10 Pfennige) (0.10) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Zinc |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 21.0 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Funck#111.2, Men05#6413.2, Men18#8040.2 |
| Obverse description | Pearl rim, city name flanking Coat of Arms |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | STADT- ELBERFELD |
| Reverse description | Pearl rim, legend surrounding denomination centered |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | KRIEGSGELD 1917 10 ∙ Pfennig ∙ |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1917 - F#111.2 - 1917 - F#111.2a) Reverse: the vertical stroke is nearly in a right angle on the foot-stroke, space between 1 - 0 is 1.0 mm - 1917 - F#111.2b) like a) but space between 1 - 0 is 1.5 mm - 1917 - F#111.2c) Reverse: vertical stroke of `1` is rounded on foot-stroke, `10` is 11.0 mm wide (measured with the slash of `1`) and 9.5 mm high - 1917 - F#111.2d) like c) but `10` is 11.5 mm wide and 10.0 mm high - 1917 - F#111.2e) like c) but `10` is 12.2 mm wide - 1917 - F#111.2f) like c) but without hyphen after STADT - |
| Numisquare ID | 1501469070 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 10 Pfennig from Elberfeld, 1917, exemplifies German Notgeld issued during World War I. Amidst severe metal shortages under Kaiser Wilhelm II, municipalities like Elberfeld produced emergency coinage to sustain local commerce. This zinc piece replaced standard copper-nickel issues, reflecting the wartime reallocation of strategic metals. Its creation highlights the profound economic pressures and societal impact of the conflict, demonstrating a critical local response to a national currency crisis.
Artistry: Lacking specific engraver attribution, this Elberfeld 10 Pfennig's artistry reflects the utilitarian aesthetics common to Notgeld. Designs prioritized clear denomination and issuer identification, often featuring municipal coats of arms or stylized legends. Executed by local mints, the stylistic approach emphasized legibility and rapid production over intricate embellishment. This pragmatic design philosophy was characteristic of wartime emergency issues, focusing on functional communication.
Technical/Grading: Struck in zinc, this 2.5 gram, 21.0 mm coin presents unique challenges for preservation. Zinc is highly reactive, prone to corrosion (zinc pest) and surface degradation, obscuring details. High-points, typically central motifs or lettering, are often weakly struck due to the metal's properties and hurried wartime production. Collectors should scrutinize for original luster and assess surface pitting. A well-struck, corrosion-free example is exceptionally scarce, reflecting the inherent fragility of this emergency coinage.