25 Pfennig - Hattingen

Historical Context: Issued by the City of Hattingen in 1918, this 25 Pfennig piece exemplifies German Notgeld from the First World War's terminal phase. As a Ruhr municipality, Hattingen, like many German cities, faced severe base metal shortages due to the imperial war economy. This necessitated local production of small-denomination currency from readily available iron, maintaining commerce amidst a national imperial coinage dearth. Its issuance underscores the profound economic strain and decentralized monetary responses characteristic of Germany's final wartime year.

Artistry: The aesthetic of this iron Notgeld reflects pragmatic wartime production rather than elaborate artistic ambition. Designs, often by local engravers or mint employees, prioritized legibility and functional communication. Specific engraver signatures are rare for such municipal emergency issues. The stylistic school is characterized by utilitarian simplicity, incorporating the city's name, denomination, and year, sometimes with rudimentary local motifs. Emphasis was on rapid, cost-effective production, resulting in a stark, unadorned aesthetic.

Technical/Grading: For this iron 25 Pfennig issue, key grading considerations center on preservation. High points susceptible to wear and corrosion include the raised lettering ("Hattingen," denomination) and any central design elements, often showing flattening first. Fields are highly prone to pitting, rust, and surface degradation, making clean, untarnished examples rare. A strong, even strike is a premium factor, as wartime iron planchets often received inconsistent pressure, leading to weak or unevenly defined details.