Kelbra issued this iron notgeld piece in 1917, the same year Germany's iron coin production reached its wartime peak as copper and nickel were systematically redirected to shell casings and military equipment. Municipal issues like this filled the void left by hoarded official coinage — ordinary people had pulled Reichsmünzen from circulation almost immediately after war broke out in 1914, anticipating shortages.
The Funck reference places this among hundreds of documented Kleingeldersatz issues, but Kelbra's small population meant local striking quantities were modest.
Kelbra issued this iron notgeld piece in 1917, the same year Germany's iron coin production reached its wartime peak as copper and nickel were systematically redirected to shell casings and military equipment. Municipal issues like this filled the void left by hoarded official coinage — ordinary people had pulled Reichsmünzen from circulation almost immediately after war broke out in 1914, anticipating shortages.
The Funck reference places this among hundreds of documented Kleingeldersatz issues, but Kelbra's small population meant local striking quantities were modest.