1 mark 1948
About This Note
This is a 1 Deutsche Mark banknote from 1948, issued by the Deutsche Notenbank in Berlin during the early post-WWII period of East Germany. The note displays the characteristic elegant design of the period with light tan/beige coloring, ornate black decorative borders, and fine line engraving throughout. In UNC condition, this note exhibits only minor age-related discoloration and represents a well-preserved example of early GDR currency with serial number BG 0219521.
Common. The Deutsche Notenbank issued this 1 Mark denomination in substantial quantities during 1948 as a foundational denomination for the new East German currency system. While the condition grade of UNC is desirable, the Pick 9b denomination itself is not scarce—these notes remain readily available in the collector market at modest valuations, typically in the $5-15 range for UNC examples.
This 1948 Deutsche Mark was issued during a critical period of German monetary reform and the emergence of separate East and West German currencies following the Soviet blockade of Berlin. The Deutsche Notenbank, as the issuing authority in the Soviet occupation zone, produced this note as part of the initial currency circulation in what would become the German Democratic Republic. The decorative mountain landscape vignette on the reverse and classical allegorical design elements reflect the pre-war German printing traditions preserved during the post-war reconstruction period.
This banknote features a classically elegant design without portrait vignettes, instead emphasizing ornamental and symbolic elements. The front displays the denomination in both numerical and word form within decorative cartouches positioned on the right side, accompanied by official issuing text. The back features a prominent landscape vignette depicting mountains or alpine peaks within an ornate central cartouche, framed by elaborate geometric and floral guilloche patterns. Ornamental shell or fan-like designs appear in all four corners of both sides, and circular medallions containing 'DEUTSCHE MARK' text serve as additional security and design elements. The overall composition utilizes symmetrical Art Deco-influenced ornamental framing with extensive fine line engraving throughout.
Front side: 'BANKNOTE' (Banknote); 'BG 0219521' (Serial number); 'EINE DEUTSCHE MARK' (One German Mark); 'VON DER DEUTSCHEN NOTENBANK AUF GRUND IHRER SATZUNG AUSGEGEBEN' (Issued by the German Note Bank on the basis of its charter); 'BERLIN 1948' (Berlin 1948); 'MARK' (Mark). Back side: 'BANKNOTE' (Banknote); 'DEUTSCHE MARK' (German Mark) - appears twice in circular medallions; Additional vertical text on right margin (partially legible in images).
This note was produced using intaglio printing (engraved line printing), evidenced by the intricate guilloche patterns, fine line work, and detailed decorative borders visible throughout both sides. The sharp, crisp lines and the dimensional quality typical of intaglio printing are apparent in the security features and ornamental designs. This note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient, the traditional security printer for German currency during this period.
This specific example shows serial number prefix 'BG' and is dated Berlin 1948, consistent with Pick catalog number 9b. The Deutsche Notenbank issued multiple series with different letter prefixes; the 'BG' prefix is standard for this issue. No unusual overprints or variant features are evident in this example. The note represents the standard variety of the 1 Mark 1948 issue.
