100 mark 1910

Common. This note maintains an extensive circulation and survives in significant quantities today. eBay market data spanning over a decade shows consistent availability with VF-graded examples selling between $0.96 and $23.50 (with most transactions in the $1-$10 range), indicating robust supply. Even professionally graded examples (PMG 64) typically realize $30-$77, well below premium rare note thresholds. The 2016 catalog value of $15 for VF condition, combined with consistent market activity, confirms this as a standard circulating issue from a high-volume production run.

Issued on April 21, 1910, during the height of the German Empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II, this note reflects Germany's naval ambitions and imperial pride of the Edwardian period. The prominent naval vessels depicted in the background landscape of the reverse directly reference the contemporary Flottenrüstung (naval arms race) and Germany's growing maritime power, symbolized by the central allegorical figure of Germania holding the imperial eagle on her shield. The classical iconography of Mercury (commerce) and Ceres (agriculture) on the obverse represents the economic foundations supporting this imperial expansion.

The obverse features a formal bilateral design with allegorical female portraits representing Mercury (left, facing right) and Ceres (right, facing left), symbolizing commerce and agriculture respectively. The central text 'Ein Hundert Mark' is rendered in ornate Gothic script, flanked by red imperial eagles with ornate heraldic backgrounds. An intricate repeating circular border pattern containing multiple '100' denominations provides security through decorative complexity and guilloché work. The reverse displays a dominant central allegorical figure of Germania (or a personified representation of German imperial power) seated in classical drapery, crowned, holding a sword in one hand and a shield bearing the imperial double-headed eagle in the other. The background landscape features maritime vessels and architectural elements, directly connecting the note's imagery to contemporary German naval power and imperial ambitions. The denomination '100' appears in all four corners of the reverse, with the red serial number clearly visible in the upper portion.

FRONT: 'Reichsbanknote.' (Reichsbank Note) | 'Ein Hundert Mark' (One Hundred Mark) | 'zahlt die Reichsbankhauптstelle in Berlin ohne Legitimations-prüfung dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote.' (the Reichsbank headquarters in Berlin will pay without authentication check to the holder of this banknote) | 'Berlin, d.n 21. April 1910.' (Berlin, the 21st of April 1910) | 'Reichsbankdirektorium' (Reichsbank Directorate) | 'HUNDERT' (HUNDRED) | '100' (One Hundred). BACK: 'Ein Hundert Mark' (One Hundred Mark) | '100' (denomination markers in all four corners) | 'C.5785597' (Serial number).

Intaglio engraving with fine line guilloché work, characteristic of high-security banknote production of the Imperial German period. The crisp detail preservation visible in the obverse printing, combined with the complex allegorical engraving on the reverse, indicates professional security printing by the Reichsbank's designated printer. The fine line work, ornamental borders, and multi-colored printing (blue and red inks on tinted paper) represent state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting measures for 1910.

The observed specimen carries red serial number C.5785597, consistent with standard 1910 issue notes. The Pick-42 designation identifies this as the primary variety for the 100 Mark denomination from this date and issuer. No overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are evident in this example. The watermark (listed in PMG population data as 'Man's Head & 100') is the standard security feature for this Pick number. No premium varieties or printing errors are documented for this particular note type.