50 reichsmark 1944

Common. While these Wehrmacht settlement vouchers are historical artifacts of significant interest, they were produced in substantial quantities for military personnel use during 1944. The eBay price history provided demonstrates consistent and relatively modest market valuations, with UNC specimens selling for approximately $40-63 depending on certification and market conditions. VF and EF examples regularly sell in the $10-20 range with multiple bidders, indicating healthy collector demand but an abundant supply. The lack of any documented scarcities, print run restrictions, or recall circumstances for this Pick number supports a common classification despite its historical significance.

This settlement voucher was issued by the Hauptverwaltung der Reichskreditkassen (Main Administration of the Reichskreditkassen) during the final year of World War II, specifically designed to facilitate payments for Wehrmacht personnel stationed in non-German territories where local currency circulation was restricted. The note's inscription explicitly states it was 'issued Berlin 15 September 1944' and marks it 'For the German Wehrmacht,' reflecting the Nazi regime's sophisticated system for managing military finances across occupied and allied territories. The restrictive language on the reverse—limiting its use only to Wehrmacht members and equivalent personnel—underscores the strict currency controls maintained by the German military administration during this period.

This military settlement voucher features a symmetrical design dominated by a purple and mauve color palette with cream or off-white paper stock. The front displays the denomination '50' in rectangular frames at the top corners, with a prominent circular ornamental frame containing the numeral '50' positioned on the right side of the center. The word 'FÜNFZIG' (Fifty) appears in large central text with 'REICHSMARK' directly below, establishing the note's value. The reverse mirrors this design with the denomination '50' repeated in decorative frames at all four corners. Both sides are framed by intricate ornamental borders featuring repeating geometric patterns and fine guilloche work. The left side of the front contains official seals and stamps from the Reichskreditkassen, while the center of the reverse features a large rectangular text frame containing the detailed terms and restrictions governing the note's use. The design incorporates a Nazi eagle and swastika emblem within the Hauptverwaltung der Reichskreditkassen seal, reflecting the official state authority of the issuing institution.

FRONT SIDE: 'VERRECHNUNGSSCHEIN' (Settlement Voucher); 'FÜR DIE DEUTSCHE WEHRMACHT' (For the German Wehrmacht); 'FÜNFZIG REICHSMARK' (Fifty Reichsmarks); 'AUSGEGEBEN BERLIN DEN 15.SEPTEMBER 1944' (Issued Berlin 15 September 1944); 'HAUPTVERWALTUNG DER REICHSKREDITKASSEN' (Main Administration of the Reichskreditkassen); 'DIESER SCHEIN DIENT ZUR VERRECHNUNG IM WEHRMACHTREISEVERKEHR SOWIE ZUR ZAHLUNG VON GEBÜHRNISSEN IN LÄNDERN, IN DENEN IHRE AUSZAHLUNG IN LANDESWÄHRUNG BESCHRÄNKT IST. SEINE VERWENDUNG IM ALLGEMEINEN ZAHLUNGSVERKEHR IST VERBOTEN.' (This voucher is used for settlement in Wehrmacht travel traffic and for payment of fees in countries where its payment in local currency is restricted. Its use in general payment traffic is prohibited.) REVERSE SIDE: 'VERRECHNUNGSSCHEIN FÜR DIE DEUTSCHE WEHRMACHT' (Settlement Voucher for the German Wehrmacht); 'WIRD IM RAHMEN DER ZAHLUNGSREGLUNG FÜR DIE WEHRMACHT IN AUSSERDEUTSCHEN LÄNDERN NUR AN WEHRMACHTANGEHÖRIGE UND GLEICHGESTELLTE ABGEGEBEN UND NUR AUS DER HAND DIESES PERSONENKREISES UMGETAUSCHT VON ALLEN KASSEN UND ZAHLSTELLEN DER WEHRMACHT, REICHSKREDITKASSEN UND WECHSELSTELLEN, FERNER IM REICH VON DER DEUTSCHEN REICHSBANK UND DEN ÜBRIGEN DEUTSCHEN GELDINSTITUTEN.' (In the framework of payment regulations for the Wehrmacht in non-German countries, this is issued only to Wehrmacht members and those with equivalent status, and is exchanged only by the hand of persons in this group at all cashiers and payment offices of the Wehrmacht, Reichskreditkassen and exchange offices, further in the Reich by the German Reichsbank and other German financial institutions.)

This note was produced using intaglio (recess) printing, evidenced by the intricate fine-line engraving patterns visible throughout the design, the precisely rendered decorative guilloche borders, and the crisp, embossed appearance of all text and numerical elements. The high-quality security printing features multiple layers of engraved ornamental detail typical of Reichskreditkassen military payment notes, which were produced by specialized German security printers under strict government supervision. The uniform color saturation and sharp registration between design elements indicate professional offset or letterpress printing in conjunction with the intaglio process.

This specific specimen is identified as Pick P-M41, dated 15 September 1944, issued by the Hauptverwaltung der Reichskreditkassen. Known varieties for Wehrmacht settlement vouchers of this type are primarily distinguished by issue date, denomination, and institutional issuer. This particular variety—the 50 Reichsmark September 1944 issue—represents a standard variant within the Reichskreditkassen series. No visible serial numbers, signature variations, or unusual overprints are apparent from the visual analysis that would indicate a sub-variety. The note presents the standard design configuration for this Pick catalog entry without documented varieties or special printings.