20 rupees 1915

Common. While German East African currency from 1915 has historical interest, interim banknotes were produced in significant quantities to meet wartime circulation demands. The AU condition and complete, legible state are desirable but not unusually scarce. The specific serial number 50851 represents one note from what was likely a large issuance. Market evidence and the straightforward availability of this Pick number through standard numismatic channels support a common classification.

Issued by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank during the early months of World War I, this interim banknote represents the German colonial response to currency demands in German East Africa (Deutsch-Ostafrika). The March 15, 1915 date from Tabora reflects the rapidly deteriorating situation in the German protectorate, while the bilingual inscriptions in German and Swahili underscore the dual administrative nature of colonial rule. The note's status as an 'Interims-Banknote' (interim banknote) indicates it was a temporary emergency issue, authorized by the Imperial Government and backed by full deposit with colonial authorities.

This interim banknote displays a utilitarian design typical of emergency wartime currency, eschewing the portraits and elaborate vignettes found on regular issues. The denomination '20' appears in decorative frames in both upper corners with geometric lattice patterns serving as anti-counterfeiting elements. The front features an ornamental border with repeating wave or chain motifs framing the central text block, which comprises the authorization statement and issue details. The back mirrors this framing approach with decorative corner flourishes featuring fan-like ornamental designs, alongside the critical legal and security text. Bilingual text in German and Swahili reflects the colonial administrative structure. The tan/beige background with black letterpress printing was typical of period financial documents, and the handwritten authorizations visible across the note represent the manual approval process required for emergency currency issuance.

FRONT SIDE: 'Interims-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) | '20' / 'ZWANZIG RUPIEN' (Twenty Rupees) | 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank zahlt bei ihren Kassen im Deutsch-Ostafrikanischen Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitimationsprüfung' (The Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank pays at its cashiers in the German East African Protectorate to the deliverer of this banknote without examination of authorization) | 'Tabora, den 15. März 1915' (Tabora, March 15, 1915) | 'Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank Zweigniederlassung Dareslam' (German East African Bank Branch Dar es Salaam) | 'Eingetragen durch' (Entered by) | 'Vollmacht' (Power of Attorney) | BACK SIDE: Serial number '50851' (top and bottom) | 'Der Gegenwert dieser Banknote ist bei dem Kaiserlichen Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika voll hinterlegt' (The value of this banknote is fully deposited with the Imperial Government of German East Africa) | 'Kadri ya noti hii imewezkwa sahihi katika Kaiserlihes Gouvernement uon Deutsch-Ostafrika' (Swahili version of deposit guarantee) | 'Wer Banknoten nachmacht oder verfälscht oder nachgemachte oder verfälschte sich verschafft und in Verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter zwei Jahren bestraft' (Whoever forges or counterfeits banknotes, or obtains counterfeit or forged banknotes and puts them into circulation, will be punished with imprisonment of not less than two years) | 'DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKANISCHE ZEITUNG U.D.A. DARESLAM' (German East African Newspaper and Publishing, Dar es Salaam - printer attribution)

Letterpress printing with black ink on tan/beige period stock paper. The note was printed by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Zeitung und Druckerei in Dar es Salaam, as indicated in the printer's attribution on the reverse. The crisp impression of the decorative borders and clear legibility of fine print text throughout confirm quality letterpress execution. The ornamental security patterns, while modest by later standards, were mechanically produced as integral design elements rather than applied separately.

Pick 45a designation indicates this is a known cataloged variety. The March 15, 1915 date from Tabora with the Dar es Salaam branch notation is consistent with the standard issue. The serial number 50851 and handwritten authorization signatures are typical of individual specimens from this issuance. No overprints or exceptional varieties are evident on this example. The note represents the standard interim issue format without recorded major variants in terms of date, denomination, or authorized branch signatures.