1 pengö 1944
Market Prices
1 saleAbout This Note
This is an exceptional example of a Hungarian 1 Pengö military payment note issued by the Soviet Army High Command in 1944, graded UNC. The note displays pristine condition with no visible wear, creases, or damage, featuring intricate blue and gray decorative engraving on a cream/beige background. The ornate scrollwork, floral medallions, and fine line work throughout exemplify the detailed craftsmanship typical of wartime military currency, making this an important artifact of the 1944-1945 Soviet occupation period.
Common. Despite its historical significance as a military occupation currency, this note was produced in substantial quantities for widespread circulation among Soviet forces in occupied Hungary. The catalog value of $3 USD in UNC condition and the eBay transaction history showing EF examples selling for approximately $3.25 confirm this note remains readily available to collectors. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors elevates this to a higher rarity classification.
This military payment note was issued by A Vöröshadsereg Parancsnoksága (The Soviet Army High Command) during the final months of World War II as the Red Army advanced into Hungary. The note's inscription threatening military law punishments for counterfeiting reflects the strict control mechanisms imposed during wartime occupation. This currency represents a transitional period in Hungarian history when Soviet forces took direct administrative and economic control of the country, replacing traditional Hungarian monetary authority with occupation-issued tender.
The note features a symmetrical, ornamental design typical of Central European banknote engraving with no portraits or landmarks depicted. Instead, the design emphasizes decorative authority through elaborate geometric and floral motifs. The front displays a central cartouche with the issuer name and denomination surrounded by intricate scrollwork borders and corner ornaments. The reverse mirrors this treatment with prominent numeral '1' displayed in ornate oval frames flanked by radial dot-pattern medallions, with the date 1944 centered below. The consistent use of fine line engraving, stippled detail work, and geometric frames throughout creates an impression of governmental legitimacy and anti-counterfeiting sophistication appropriate for military-issued currency.
Front side: 'A Vöröshadsereg Parancsnoksága' (The Soviet Army High Command) | 'EGY PENGŐ' (One Pengö) | 'ELFOGADÁSA MINDEN FIZETÉSNÉL KÖTELEZHÕ HAMISÍTÁSA HADITÖRVÉNYEK SZERINT BÜNTETTIK' (Acceptance is mandatory in all payments. Counterfeiting is punishable under military law.) Back side: 'A Vöröshadsereg Parancsnoksága' (The Soviet Army High Command) | 'EGY PENGŐ' (One Pengö) | '1944' (Year of issue) | '1' (Denomination numeral)
Intaglio line engraving and stipple engraving, characteristic of security printing methods employed for military payment certificates during World War II. The fine detail work, including the intricate scrollwork patterns, dotted medallions, and geometric borders, indicates professional engraving executed by a state security printer. This printing method provides inherent anti-counterfeiting protection through the difficulty of reproducing fine line work and stippled patterns.
Pick catalog number P-M2b indicates this is the second variety (b) of the 1 Pengö 1944 military issue. The note is without serial number, as noted in the reference catalog data and confirmed by visual inspection. No visible signatures, overprints, or date variations are apparent. The design characteristics match the standard P-M2b specification with the vertical wavy lines noted in the reference data contributing to the distinctive security features of this particular variety.
