10 Pfennig - Fulda

Historical Context: The 1917 10 Pfennig coin from Fulda emerged during the final years of World War I. Germany’s severe metal shortages compelled municipalities to issue emergency coinage, or Notgeld, for local commerce. Fulda, a historic Hessian city, utilized zinc to replace scarce imperial small change. These issues reflect immense economic strain and decentralized currency production, serving as vital circulating media amidst unprecedented national scarcity.

Artistry: Specific engraver details for this municipal issue remain largely unrecorded. The design follows the functional, locally-inspired aesthetic typical of Notgeld. The obverse commonly features the denomination, '10 Pfennig', and issuer, 'Stadt Fulda', within a simple legend. The reverse likely displays the city’s coat of arms – a black cross on a silver field – or a straightforward date and value declaration. This pragmatic stylistic approach prioritized clarity and utility, characteristic of wartime emergency issues.

Technical/Grading: Struck in zinc, this coin (Funck#146.1) is highly susceptible to corrosion and wear, severely impacting preservation. High-points for grading include raised heraldry (e.g., the Fulda cross) and sharp edges of numerals and lettering. Wartime production often yielded variable strike quality, with weaker strikes, especially on the periphery, and planchet imperfections. Collectors prioritize pieces with minimal zinc rot, clear legends, and well-defined central motifs, as these attributes are rare in higher grades.