Buchenwald Standort-Kantine concentration camp scrip, 1 Reichsmark
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 3.000 inches (7.62 cm) | Width: 4.250 inches (10.795 cm)
Archival History
The scrip was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2003 by John Todd Stewart.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of John Todd Stewart
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
1 Reichsmark coupon of the type issued at Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany. Buchenwald opened on July 19, 1937, and issued undated notes in 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mark denominations. The simply designed notes were printed on coarse paper. There were two types of coupons: canteen scrip and exchange scrip issued to members of outside labor brigades [Aussenkommandos.] In early April 1945, as US forces approached Buchenwald concentration camp, the German guards began to evacuate the camp. On April 11, the prisoners revolted and seized control of the camp. Later that day, soldiers from the Sixth Army Armored Division, part of the Third Army, arrived in camp and discovered more than 21,000 starved and ill inmates.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, light brown paper coupon with a rectangular, pale blue floral background design with scalloped edges and a narrow, blank border printed on the front. German text, the denomination 1, a serial number, and an asterisk are printed in black ink over the floral design. There is a pencil mark on the back. The paper is discolored and nearly torn along the deep center crease, with torn, soiled, and uneven edges.
Corporate Bodies
Subjects
- World War (1939-1945)--Prisoners and prisons, German--Economic aspects.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Germany--Weimar (Thuringia)--Economic aspects.
- Concentration camps--Germany--Economic aspects.
Genre
- Object
- Exchange Media