100 000 000 mark 1923

common

Issued by the Senate of Danzig (a Free City under League of Nations mandate) on September 22, 1923, this note represents the frantic monetary response to Germany's complete currency collapse during hyperinflation. The 'Worthless' stamps were officially applied to indicate the note's redemption window (October 5-10, 1923) and the currency's imminent valuelessness. The note's existence and the need for such emergency denominations underscore the economic chaos of the Weimar period when currency depreciation occurred at unprecedented rates.

This uniface note (printed on obverse only) features a formal design typical of Weimar-era emergency currency. The primary design element is an ornate geometric border pattern in peach and tan, framing the central denomination text printed in large bold black type. The official seal of Danzig appears on the right side, displaying the city's heraldic coat of arms within a circular design. Two authorized signatures appear in the lower central area, authenticating the issue on behalf of the Senate. The denomination '100 Millionen' (One Hundred Million) is prominently displayed. The triangular watermark noted in catalog data adds security. The 'Wertlos' stamps in purple are official post-issue markings indicating the note's limited redemption period and economic status.

FRONT SIDE: 'Notgeldschein der Stadtgemeinde Danzig über Hundert Millionen Mark' (Emergency money note of the City Municipality of Danzig for One Hundred Million Mark) | 'Dieser Notaeldschein ist in der Zeit vom 5. bis 10. Oktober 1923 bei der Kämmereikaffe einzulösen.' (This emergency note can be redeemed at the Treasury from October 5-10, 1923.) | 'Deutsche Reichswährung.' (German Reich currency.) | 'Danzig, den 22. September 1923.' (Danzig, September 22, 1923.) | 'Der Senat / Verwaltung der Stadtgemeinde Danzig' (The Senate / Administration of the City Municipality of Danzig) | 'Der diese Scheine nachmacht oder verfälscht, oder nachgemachte oder verfalschte Scheine beisitzt und in den Verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter zwei Jahren bestraft.' (Whoever counterfeits or forges these notes, or possesses and circulates counterfeit or forged notes, will be punished with imprisonment of not less than two years.) | STAMPS: 'Wertlos Reichsbank Danzig' (Worthless Reichsbank Danzig) applied in purple to top right and bottom left. BACK SIDE: Text present but illegible in provided image.

Letterpress printing with black ink on cream/light orange colored paper stock. The ornate geometric border demonstrates fine line work characteristic of letterpress security printing. The color variation (peach/tan underprint versus black overprint) suggests either a two-color printing process or separate printing passes. The circular seal and text elements show the crisp, precise impression typical of letterpress technology used for official municipal currency in the Weimar period.

Pick catalog P-27a designation indicates this is the primary cataloged variety. The note shows the standard design with two signature blanks and the official Danzig municipal seal. The 'Wertlos' stamps appear to be standard issue for this entire emission, applied during the authorized redemption period. No distinctive serial number prefixes or date variations are apparent that would distinguish this as a scarcer sub-variety. This represents the standard circulation printing of this denomination.