25 Pfennigs - Augsburg Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg

Historical Context: This 25 Pfennigs piece, issued by the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg (MAN) in Augsburg, dates to Germany's post-World War I hyperinflationary crisis, likely 1922-1923. As official Reichsbank currency rapidly devalued, industrial enterprises like this prominent Bavarian firm issued *Werksnotgeld* to facilitate wage payments and local commerce. Augsburg, a significant industrial hub, experienced acute shortages of small change, necessitating such localized, zinc-based emergency issues to sustain its workforce and economy amidst the Weimar Republic's monetary collapse.

Artistry: Artistically, this 25 Pfennigs issue exemplifies the pragmatic, utilitarian aesthetic common to *Werksnotgeld* of the early 1920s. Designs were typically executed by anonymous in-house draughtsmen or local commercial engravers, prioritizing legibility and issuer identification over artistic embellishment. Such pieces rarely bear engraver signatures. The focus was on clearly presenting the issuing entity, Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg, and denomination, often with minimal ornamentation reflecting austere economic conditions and the industrial nature of the issuer.

Technical/Grading: Grading this zinc 25 Pfennigs piece hinges critically on surface preservation, given zinc's inherent susceptibility to corrosion. High-points include clarity of the "Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg" legend and denomination, often weakly struck or obscured by damage. Examine fields for uniform surface integrity; pitting, white zinc rot, or dark oxidation significantly degrade value. Rims are frequently susceptible to nicks and dents. Crispness of any factory emblem and absence of cleaning marks or severe circulation wear are paramount for higher grades.