20 mark 1948
About This Note
This is a 1948 East German 20 Mark note (Pick P-5a) issued by the Soviet occupation zone, presented in uncirculated condition. The note features fine intaglio engraving with a distinctive brownish-pink color scheme, displaying a male portrait in an oval frame on the front and an elaborate allegorical reverse design with a central medallion flanked by two classical female figures. The pristine condition with sharp details and no visible wear makes this a desirable example of early post-war German currency.
Common. The 1948 Soviet occupation zone issues were produced in substantial quantities to serve as emergency currency in the immediate post-war period across the Soviet-controlled German territories. Pick P-5a represents a standard denomination from this series without notable print run restrictions or recall status. Notes from this series remain readily available in the collector market at modest valuations.
This note was issued during the Soviet occupation zone period in Germany (1948), a transitional era between the end of World War II and the formal division of Germany. The design elements—including the allegorical female figures and classical imagery—reflect the lingering influence of earlier Reichsbank design traditions, while the 1948 overprinting on original plates represents the practical currency measures taken by occupying Soviet authorities to establish monetary control in their zone before the eventual creation of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik.
The obverse features a male portrait in profile facing right, presented within an ornate oval decorative frame positioned on the right side of the note. An elaborate decorative letter 'Z' with scrollwork ornaments the left side, with a German eagle or coat of arms visible at the bottom center. The reverse displays a large circular medal or coin design at the center containing another male profile portrait facing right, flanked by two allegorical female figures in classical style representing national concepts or virtues. The denomination '20' appears in all four corners of the reverse. The entire design is executed in fine line engraving with complex geometric background patterns throughout, all rendered in the characteristic brownish-pink and mauve palette. The note is bordered by ornamental frames typical of Reichsbank-era design conventions.
FRONT: Serial number: E 3511860 8 | Denomination: 20 (twenty) | Year: 1948 | 'Reichsbanknote' (Reich banknote) | Text referencing: 'Payment bank establishment bank secured on August 30, 1924 Berlin, January 22, 1929' | References to 'War banknote' (Kriegsbanknote) designation | '20 - 1948'. BACK: Serial number: E 3511860 8 | Denomination: 20 (appears in all four corners) | 'Reichsbanknote' (Reich banknote, top and bottom) | Legal warning text: 'Whoever counterfeits banknotes or obtains counterfeit or falsified banknotes and puts them into circulation is punished with imprisonment of not less than two years' (WIR BANKNOTEN NACHFÄLSCHUNG ODER VERFÄLSCHUNG... ZUCHTHAUSNICHT UNTER ZWEI JAHREN BESTRAFT).
Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of high-security German banknotes of this era. The fine line engraving is evident throughout both sides, with intricate background patterns and detailed portraiture serving as primary anti-counterfeiting measures. The design was likely produced by the Reichsbanknote printing facilities; for the 1948 Soviet zone overprint issue, the original plates from earlier Reichsbank production were adapted with the new date overprint.
This note is identified as Pick P-5a specifically, indicating it represents the first variety of the 20 Mark denomination from the 1948 Soviet occupation zone issue. The visible serial number E 3511860 8 should be documented. Known varieties for this series may include differences in overprint placement, signature variations, or serial number prefix changes; collectors should verify against detailed Pick catalog references for distinguishing characteristics among P-5a, P-5b, and related varieties. The 1948 date overprint on original Reichsbank plates is the key identifying feature of this post-war reissue.
