10 Pfennig - Eschwege

Eschwege, a small market town in Hesse-Nassau, issued notgeld coinage during the severe metal shortages of World War I, when the Imperial government progressively requisitioned copper and nickel for munitions. Iron was the fallback — cheap, abundant, and deeply unpopular with the public, who correctly anticipated it would corrode in pocket wear. Most municipal iron issues from this period were hoarded almost immediately upon release, which is why survivors in fine condition are far more common than the mintage figures might suggest.