2 Pfennig - Bremen Bremer Lagerh. Ges.

Historical Context: The 2 Pfennig iron issue by the Bremer Lagerhaus-Gesellschaft, under the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, is quintessential German Notgeld from the WWI or immediate post-WWI era. Its iron composition directly resulted from severe strategic metal shortages, necessitating standard currency withdrawal. This emergency issue, by a prominent local commercial entity, maintained localized economic stability and facilitated transactions amidst national monetary disruption, characteristic of decentralized Notgeld across German states, highlighting municipal autonomy in fiscal crisis management.

Artistry: Specific engravers for localized Notgeld are rarely documented. The artistic execution of this 2 Pfennig aligns with the pragmatic, functional aesthetic of German wartime industrial design. Prioritizing legibility and clear identification, designs typically featured simple legends, perhaps Bremen's municipal coat of arms or a stylized Lagerhaus-Gesellschaft emblem. This directness, characteristic of emergency coinage, deliberately eschewed pre-war imperial issues' intricate detailing, reflecting urgent, utilitarian production demands.

Technical/Grading: Critical grading for this iron 2 Pfennig type centers on the metal's susceptibility to environmental degradation. Rust, pitting, and surface corrosion are prevalent, significantly impacting grade. High points prone to wear include the raised rim, the highest relief elements of any central device (e.g., shield, crest, logo), and the apexes of lettering in the legends. A strong, even strike, often challenging for emergency issues, is also key, with weakness frequently observed in peripheral or finer design elements.