Hermann Tietz was one of Germany's dominant department store chains before the Nazi regime forced its "Aryanization" in 1933 — the family, being Jewish, lost the business under economic duress, and the stores were rebranded as Hertie. This zinc token predates that seizure and was issued for internal use, most likely as change scrip or a store credit piece during a period when small denomination coinage was chronically scarce in circulation. Menzel 18 catalogues several Tietz issues, with minor variants distinguished by die details.
Hermann Tietz was one of Germany's dominant department store chains before the Nazi regime forced its "Aryanization" in 1933 — the family, being Jewish, lost the business under economic duress, and the stores were rebranded as Hertie. This zinc token predates that seizure and was issued for internal use, most likely as change scrip or a store credit piece during a period when small denomination coinage was chronically scarce in circulation. Menzel 18 catalogues several Tietz issues, with minor variants distinguished by die details.