German Konversionskasse scrip, 5 Reichsmark note
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 4.375 inches (11.113 cm) | Width: 7.500 inches (19.05 cm)
Creator(s)
- Konversionskasse fu?r Deutsche Auslandsschulden (Issuer)
- Reichsdruckerei (Printer)
Archival History
The scrip was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1992.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Scope and Content
Scrip, valued at five Reichsmarks, issued by the Konversionskasse für deutsche Auslandsschulden (Conversion Fund for German Foreign Debts) in 1933. German efforts to finance World War I sent the nation into debt. Following their defeat, the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to pay reparations to several countries, which increased the nation’s financial struggles. Germany experienced a period of hyperinflation, which was stabilized by the introduction of the Rentenmark in November 1923. Although the economy began to grow again, Germany chose not to tax citizens to fund the reparations, but continued taking out loans from foreign nations, such as the United States. As a result, the repercussions of the Great Depression in America reverberated in the German economy. The Reichsbank began regulating foreign exchange trading in 1931, and took over foreign payment transactions in 1933, with the Konversionskasse serving as an intermediary. The notes were not valid as currency, instead functioning as securities, or an investment in the Konversionskasse. Germany’s continued insolvency and devastated economy allowed the Nazi Party to use people’s fears as a propaganda tool to gain power, eventually leading to Adolf Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Reichsmark scrip note printed on rectangular, cream-colored paper with embedded multi-colored fibers. On the face are two rectangles with elaborately decorative black borders. The rectangle on the left is narrow and vertically oriented, with the numeric denomination in a square with inverted corners, overlaid on a long decoration of overlapping geometric shapes and patterns all printed in black ink over a light brown streak. The larger rectangle on the right has a green-and-brown latticework underprint, with a large guilloché element in the center. In each corner of the rectangle, the numeric denomination overlays a small, rounded rectangle with a guilloché interior. The series and serial number are printed in black at the top center, above several lines of German text. On the lower left side is a black, circular seal with German text surrounding an eagle with spread wings. On the back, are two rectangles with wavy, decorative borders. The larger rectangle on the left has a green-and-brown latticework underprint with a large guilloché element in the center. The series and serial number are printed in black ink in the bottom corners, beneath several lines of German text. The rectangle on the right is narrow and vertically oriented, with nothing printed in the center. Within the narrow rectangle are four, small pinholes and there is a stain on the upper right corner.
Corporate Bodies
- Germany. Reichsdruckerei
Subjects
- Banks and banking, German
- Germany--Politics and government--1918-1933--Economic aspects.
- Banks and banking, German
- Inflation (Finance)--Germany.
- Berlin (Germany)
- Germany--Economic conditions--1918-1945.
- Economics.
Genre
- Object
- Bank notes.
- Exchange Media