5 kronen Amstetten
“prison money”
About This Note
This is a 5 Kronen denomination prison camp payment token issued by the Officers' Department of the Harth near Amstetten War Prisoners Camp, an internment facility that operated during World War I. The note is presented in uncirculated condition with a cream/beige background, featuring ornate geometric patterns, four-pointed stars, and a winged imperial emblem characteristic of Austro-Hungarian design. The reverse side exhibits significant fading, likely due to age and storage conditions, but the obverse remains crisp and clearly legible, making this an interesting example of military-issued scrip currency.
Uncommon. WWI prisoner camp scrip from specific camps and denominations typically had limited print runs and many were destroyed postwar or lost to deterioration. This particular variety from Harth near Amstetten is not commonly encountered in the numismatic market. However, as this is cataloged as P-unlisted (not in standard Pick catalogs), precise print run data is unavailable. The uncirculated condition is notable for a camp currency that typically circulated heavily within its small closed economy. Such notes are sought by WWI military currency specialists and POW history collectors, placing it above 'common' but likely not in the 'rare' category due to the existence of multiple surviving examples.
This scrip note was issued during World War I at the Harth prisoner-of-war camp located near Amstetten in Austria, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's system for managing enemy soldiers and officers. The prominent winged military emblem and formal 'Officers Department' designation reflect the hierarchical structure of WWI military camps, where officers were often separated from enlisted men and issued their own internal currency. The use of 'Zahlmarke' (payment token/stamp) terminology indicates this was alternative currency for internal camp transactions rather than legal tender, a common practice in POW camps to control commerce and prevent escapes.
The obverse features a formal, symmetrical design typical of Austro-Hungarian military currency of the WWI era. The winged emblem centered at the top is the double-headed eagle coat of arms with imperial styling, symbolizing Austro-Hungarian sovereignty and military authority. Denomination numerals '5' are positioned prominently, with 'KRONEN' (Crowns, the standard Austro-Hungarian currency unit) clearly marked. The design employs Art Nouveau-influenced ornamental elements including four-pointed stars arranged as decorative motifs and intricate geometric background patterns that serve both aesthetic and anti-counterfeiting functions. The dotted perimeter border frames the design. The reverse, though heavily faded, appears to have carried complementary ornamental designs in the corners and possibly additional text or security patterns, now largely illegible due to age-related deterioration or lighter original printing.
FRONT SIDE: '5 Kronen' (5 Crowns) — denomination; 'ZAHLMARKE' (Payment Token/Stamp); 'DER OFFIZIERSABTEILUNG' (of the Officers Department); 'DES KRIEGSGEFANGENENLAGERS' (of the War Prisoners Camp); 'HARTH BEI AMSTETTEN' (Harth near Amstetten). BACK SIDE: Text present but illegible due to severe fading; decorative elements only faintly visible. SUMMARY: The obverse fully identifies this as official scrip currency issued by the Officers' section of the Harth POW camp near Amstetten for internal use by officer prisoners.
This note was produced using traditional intaglio (engraved line) printing, evident from the crisp, fine-line quality of the geometric patterns, ornamental details, and text visible on the obverse. The intricate dotted border and background patterns show the characteristic sharp definition of intaglio work. The severe fading on the reverse suggests either lighter ink application on that side or different printing conditions, possibly indicating a second pass with lighter pressure or reduced ink saturation. The printer is not identified on the note itself; many such WWI camp scrip notes were produced by military printing departments or contracted local printers within Austria-Hungary.
No specific date is visible on this obverse, suggesting either no date was printed or it appears on the faded reverse. No serial numbers are apparent in the visual analysis. No signatures are discernible. The lack of Pick catalog listing indicates this specific camp and denomination combination represents either an unlisted variety or a note overlooked by major numismatic catalogs. Collectors should note that multiple denominations and issuing authorities existed within the Austro-Hungarian POW camp system; this example is specifically from the Officers' Department at Harth, distinguishing it from similar scrip issued at other camps or for enlisted personnel.
