50 000 mark 1923
About This Note
This is a 50,000 Mark emergency banknote (Notgeld) issued by the Stadt Werl on August 10, 1923, during Germany's hyperinflation crisis. The note exhibits an AU condition grade with a pleasant tan/beige patina, clear sharp printing, and no significant damage—a well-preserved example of Werl's municipal currency. The piece is particularly interesting as an unlisted Pick number, representing a specific emergency issue from this economically turbulent period when municipalities issued their own vouchers to facilitate local commerce.
Common. While this specific Pick number is technically unlisted in standard catalogs, Stadt Werl's emergency issues from 1923 were produced in substantial quantities to meet local circulation needs during the hyperinflation crisis. The serial number A. 0019 suggests an early printing from the series, but multiple series and denominations were likely issued. German municipal Notgeld from 1923, even unlisted varieties, are generally abundant in the collector market, with most examples available at modest prices. The AU condition grade does not significantly elevate rarity, as many examples of these notes have survived in good condition due to their brief use period and subsequent removal from circulation.
This note was issued during the peak of the German hyperinflation of 1923, when the Reichsmark collapsed in value and municipalities like Werl issued emergency currency (Notgeld) to maintain local commerce. The formal design with the city's heraldic seal and the signature of Dr. Nachtsheim (the magistrate) reflects the official municipal authority behind the issue, while the redemption clause dated September 1, 1923, indicates this was a temporary measure with a planned recall date. The 50,000 Mark denomination demonstrates the extreme devaluation occurring in August 1923, when such astronomical figures became necessary for ordinary transactions.
The note features a formal municipal design typical of German Notgeld from 1923. The obverse displays the Stadt Werl's heraldic emblem in an octagonal frame on the left, containing a profile bust facing right—likely representing a historical figure or personification of the city. A decorative scalloped border frames the entire note, with the large denomination text prominently centered in a rectangular ornamental frame. The reverse presents a more geometric design with a heraldic shield bearing a cross with horizontal bar (the municipal coat of arms of Werl), flanked by denomination numerals. A decorative geometric border pattern of diamonds and stars frames the composition. Both sides employ a monochromatic black-on-beige printing scheme with no color variation, consistent with emergency wartime and inflation-era printing practices.
FRONT SIDE: 'GUTSCHEIN DER STADT WERL' (Voucher of the City of Werl); 'Fünfzigtausend Mark' (Fifty Thousand Mark) - appears multiple times with numeric '50000'; 'Werl, den 10. August 1923' (Werl, August 10, 1923); 'Der Magistrat der Stadt Werl: Dr. Nachtsheim' (The Magistrate of the City of Werl: Dr. Nachtsheim); Serial number 'A. 0019'. BACK SIDE: 'Stadt Werl' (City of Werl); Denomination numerals '5000' and '50000' with 'Fünfzig-tausend Mark' (Fifty Thousand Mark); 'Dieser Gutschein kann ab 1. Sept. 1923 bei der Einziehung und Einlösung aufgerufen werden' (This voucher can be called in for deposit and redemption from September 1, 1923).
Based on the sharp, clear print quality visible throughout and the geometric precision of the border patterns and heraldic designs, this note was likely produced using letterpress or typographic printing methods, which were standard for German municipal Notgeld issues of 1923. The crisp rendering of text and decorative elements, combined with the single-color (black) printing on the tan stock, indicates professional municipal or commercial printing facilities rather than crude emergency production. The specific printer for this Werl issue is not attributed in visible markings, but such notes were typically produced by local or regional printing houses commissioned by the municipality.
This specific note is identified as: Issuer: Stadt Werl; Denomination: 50,000 Mark; Date: August 10, 1923; Signature: Dr. Nachtsheim (Magistrate); Serial Number: A. 0019. The 'A' prefix suggests this is from the first or primary series of this denomination. Potential varieties for this issue may exist based on different signature variations, serial number prefixes (A, B, etc.), or printing batches, but without access to comprehensive Werl Notgeld catalogs, specific variety attribution is limited. The unlisted status suggests this particular issue may not have been cataloged in major references like Pick, indicating either a regional specialty or an oversight in standard catalogs.
