Catalog
| Issuer | Eschwege, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 10 Pfennigs (10 Pfennige) (0.10) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 20.7 mm |
| Thickness | 1.1 mm |
| Shape | Octagonal (8-sided) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Funck#121.5, Men05#6927.5, Men18#8712.5 |
| Obverse description | Pearl rim, city name half circled above pearl line draped over Coat of Arms with denomination at bottom |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | STADT ESCHWEGE 10 |
| Reverse description | Pearl rim, legend circling pearl circle with denomination centered |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | KLEINGELDERSATZMARKE 10 ★ ★ ★ |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND - (fr) F#121.5 - 25 000 ND - (fr) F#121.5a) Rv.: slash of `1` is curved, 0.5 mm long and 0.4 mm thick - ND - (fr) F#121.5b) Rv.: slash of `1` is straight, 1.25 mm long and 0.2 mm thick - |
| Numisquare ID | 1012153180 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 10 Pfennig from Eschwege exemplifies German Notgeld, or emergency money, issued during and immediately after World War I. With the Imperial German government requisitioning strategic metals for the war effort, municipalities like Eschwege in Hesse were compelled to issue localized currency. Utilizing readily available iron, these issues bridged severe coinage shortages, enabling local commerce to continue amidst national crisis and subsequent hyperinflationary pressures.
Artistry: The design ethos of this Eschwege 10 Pfennig, typical of municipal Notgeld, prioritizes clarity and local identity. Specific engraver details are rarely documented for such utilitarian pieces; the stylistic school leans towards functionalism, employing simple typography for the denomination and issuing authority. An austere design with clear lettering for 'Eschwege' and '10 Pfennig' would be expected, reflecting urgent circulation needs over aesthetic grandeur, sometimes featuring a city crest or local emblem.
Technical/Grading: Struck in iron, a material chosen out of necessity, this coin presents unique preservation challenges. The 2.5 gram weight and 20.7 mm diameter are standard. High-points susceptible to wear and corrosion typically include raised lettering for the denomination and city name, and any central emblem. Technical strike quality varies, often exhibiting weaker strikes or planchet imperfections inherent to emergency production and the challenging nature of striking iron. Surface pitting and rust are common grading detractors for these historical iron issues.