2 marki 1916
Market Prices
11 salesAbout This Note
This is a striking example of a Polish 2 Marki note issued by Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa in December 1916, graded AU for its exceptional preservation. The note displays crisp, sharp printing with vibrant red and green colors on the reverse, and features the iconic Polish white eagle on a red ground as its primary security symbol. The excellent condition, combined with the historical significance of this German occupation-period currency, makes this a desirable example for collectors of Eastern European or World War I-era banknotes.
Common. Market data from eBay sales records shows consistent activity across multiple condition grades (VG through UNC), with notes regularly selling in the $12–$60 range for typical grades, and catalogue values from 2016 reaching only $80 for EF examples. The print run was substantial given the note's use as occupation currency, and examples remain readily available to collectors. No evidence of scarcity or special rarity factors is present.
Issued during the German occupation of Poland in World War I, this note represents currency authorized by the German military administration through the General Governorate of Warsaw. The front inscription explicitly states that the German Reich guarantees repayment in German Marks, reflecting the occupying power's attempt to legitimize Polish financial instruments while maintaining economic control. The Polish eagle and nationalist language on the note symbolize Poland's identity and aspirations during a period when the nation was partitioned and occupied by foreign powers.
The obverse features the Polish White Eagle (Orzeł Biały) as the dominant symbol, depicted with spread wings on a crimson red background within an elaborate oval medallion with ornate baroque scrollwork and floral framing. The eagle wears a royal crown, emphasizing Polish sovereignty. Classical decorative borders with rosettes and scrollwork frame the entire note, while the right side contains the German guarantee text and Polish administrative attribution. The reverse displays a highly symmetrical baroque design with ornamental patterns in red and green, featuring identical male portrait medallions in profile on both left and right sides (likely representing Polish national or administrative figures of the period), flanking a large ornate numeral '2' rendered in green within a central decorative cartouche. Fine-line engraving and multi-color printing create an intricate security pattern throughout.
FRONT: 'DWIE MARKI POLSKIE' (Two Polish Marks) / 'Rzesza Niemiecka przyjmuje odpowiedzialność za spłatę biletów Polskiej Krajowej Kasy Pożyczkowej w Markach Niemieckich po cenie nominalnej' (The German Reich accepts responsibility for the repayment of tickets of the Polish National Loan Bank in German Marks at nominal value) / 'Zarząd Generał-Gubernatorstwa Warszawskiego' (General Governorate of Warsaw Administration) / 'Warszawa, dn. 9-go grudnia 1916 r.' (Warsaw, December 9, 1916) / 'Kto podrabia lub fałszuje bilety Polskiej Krajowej Kasy Pożyczkowej, albo puszcza w obieg lub usuwa pościć w obieg podrobione lub fałszowane bilety, podle karze ciężkiego więzienia' (Whoever counterfeits or forges tickets of the Polish National Loan Bank, or puts into circulation or removes from circulation counterfeit or forged tickets, will face hard imprisonment by law). BACK: 'BILET POLSKIEJ KRAJOWEJ KASY POŻYCZKOWEJ' (Ticket of the Polish National Loan Bank) / 'DWIE MARKI POLSKIE' (Two Polish Marks) / Serial number: B356160.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) with multi-color printing in black, red, and green on cream-colored paper. The fine, detailed line work visible in the ornamental borders, portraits, and central vignettes is characteristic of high-security banknote production of the early 20th century. The sharp definition of the eagle, scrollwork, and numerals indicates careful plate preparation and professional execution typical of German-controlled occupation currency printing facilities.
This specific example carries serial number B356160 and is dated 9 December 1916 on the front. The Pick P-9 designation identifies this as the 2 Marki variety of the Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa issue. The external catalog reference notes textual variants exist (such as differing spelling of 'jeneral-gubernatorstwa' vs. 'Generał-Gubernatorstwa' and alternate back text configurations), though this example displays the 'Zarząd Generał-Gubernatorstwa Warszawskiego' form on the front. The PMG population report confirms P-9s as the cataloged variant for the 2 Marki denomination, distinguishing it from P-91s (1 Zloty) and other related denominations in the series.
