100 000 000 mark 1923

Common. While this specific Pick-unlisted denomination from the Bayerische Staatsbank is not catalogued in standard references, emergency issues from the 1923 hyperinflation period, particularly regional vouchers and high-denomination emergency notes, were produced in substantial quantities. The institutional nature of the issuer (Bavarian State Bank), the visible serial number (254779) indicating a significant print run, and the survival of multiple examples in various collections all indicate this was not a limited issue. Regional hyperinflation-era notes from this period remain abundant in the collector market, and unlistedd varieties are typically common rather than scarce.

Issued by the Bavarian State Bank during the final months of the hyperinflation crisis that devastated the Weimar Republic, this 100 million mark note (with some inscriptions referencing 'Stillionen'/trillions, reflecting the extreme denominations required by late 1923) represents the desperate financial measures undertaken by regional authorities. The redemption clause and legal warnings printed on the reverse reflect the transitional uncertainty of the period, as this voucher-style note required future redemption by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance rather than functioning as standard currency. By September 1923, such astronomical denominations were issued daily as the reichsmark became virtually worthless.

This emergency voucher-style banknote features a highly ornamental design characteristic of German hyperinflation-era emergency currency, with no portraits or landmarks depicted. The primary design elements consist of elaborate guilloche patterns and nested geometric ornamental frames covering both sides of the note. The front features a vertical layout with denomination information in the left panel and issuing authority details in the right panel, flanked by decorative borders and ornate calligraphy in German Gothic script. Two authorized signatures appear at the bottom right. The reverse displays a large central ornamental frame with fine line engraving and complex geometric patterns, with the denomination prominently displayed and legal text at the bottom. The color scheme employs tan and beige as primary colors with dark blue/navy accents, typical of the period's security printing approach.

FRONT: 'Hundert Stillionen Mark' (One Hundred Trillion Mark); 'Bayerische Staatsbank Gutschein' (Bavarian State Bank Certificate); 'Hundert Millionen Einhundertmillionen' (One Hundred Million); 'München den 20.September 1923' (Munich, 20 September 1923); 'Bayerische Staatsbank Direktorium' (Bavarian State Bank Board of Directors); 'Dieser Gutschein wird zu einem Durch das Bayerische Staatsministerium der Finanzen im Reichsanzeiger und Bayer. Staatsanzeiger bekanntmachenden Zeitpunkte zur Einlösung aufgerufen' (This voucher will be called for redemption at a time to be announced by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance in the Reich Gazette and Bavarian State Gazette); 'ein Jahr nach Ablauf der Einlösungsfrist erlischt jeder Anspruch aus diesem Gutschein' (One year after expiration of the redemption period, any claim to this voucher expires); Serial number: 254779. BACK: 'Gutschein der Bayerischen Staatsbank' (Certificate of the Bavarian State Bank); '100 Millionen Mark' (100 Million Mark); 'Wer Gutscheine nachmacht oder verfälscht oder nachgemachte oder verfälschte sich verschafft und in Verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter zwei Jahren bestraft' (Whoever counterfeits or falsifies certificates or obtains counterfeit or falsified ones and brings them into circulation shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than two years).

Intaglio engraving (likely steel plate engraving) on watermarked paper, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate guilloche patterns, and sharp detail visible throughout both sides. The consistent, crisp impression and fine security line work indicate professional security printing, likely executed by a recognized German security printer such as Giesecke+Devrient or a similar state-contracted firm. No offset printing characteristics are visible; the design is purely engraved with multiple color separations applied to create the tan, beige, and dark blue palette.

Specific variety identification is limited by the unlisted status in Pick's catalogue. The note is dated 20 September 1923 from Munich (München), issued by the Bavarian State Bank Directorate (Bayerische Staatsbank Direktorium). Serial number 254779 is visible on the obverse. The denomination phrasing shows variation between the front ('Hundert Stillionen Mark') and back ('100 Millionen Mark'), which may indicate a printer's error or intentional correction between production runs. Without access to comprehensive serial number range documentation for Bavarian State Bank emergency issues, identifying specific varieties or print run variations is not possible, though this note may represent a distinct printing session given the September 1923 date during the peak crisis period.