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20 Mark Saarlouis; PoW Camp
| Issuer | Offizier-Gefangenenlager Saarlouis |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914-1918 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Mark (1873-1923) |
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| Obverse description | Printed in dark brown on tan paper, the obverse presents a symmetrical letterpress composition centred on the denomination legend "Zwanzig Mark" within a horizontally ruled rectangular panel flanked on each side by a large circular guilloche medallion bearing the numeral "20". A curved ribbon cartouche at the top carries the camp inscription, while a lower ribbon cartouche bears the place name; corner rosette ornaments with radiating fan motifs complete the design. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse lettering | OFFIZIER-GEFANGENENLAGER 20 Zwanzig Mark SAARLOUIS (Translation: Officer prisoner of war camp. Twenty mark.) |
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| Comments |
Offizier-Gefangenenlager Saarlouis was a camp specifically for captured officers, which under the 1907 Hague Conventions entitled prisoners to receive pay in proportion to their rank — the Germans were obliged to honor this, and internal camp currency was one mechanism for managing it without introducing Reichsmark notes into prisoner hands. The 20 Mark denomination is on the higher end for Lagergeld of this type, consistent with officer-grade purchasing power within the camp canteen system.
Saarlouis camp issues are not common on the market. Documentation on the full series remains incomplete in most major references.