Funny Where This Hobby Take You Sometimes.
The thing I enjoy most about this hobby is how it sometimes takes you on a journey to a new and interesting item that you were not even aware existed before the journey began. I was doing some research on a future blog about the many silver rounds produced by mints around the world and suddenly came upon a German silver round depicting the Goddess Germania. With just the slightest amount of extra effort, I found this absolutely beautiful banknote, featuring a portrait of Germania, and dating from 1910.
On the Obverse we see Germania sitting, next to an oak tree with a sword in her right hand and her left arm resting atop her shield. The shield is decorated with a German style Eagle and the Eagle has shield on its chest with another smaller eagle. to the left of Germania you see some farm implements and on the far right a line of Battleships are cruising in formation. One senses a Germany proud of its past but looking to the future with weapons of war at the ready.
On the reverse, we see Mercury with a Winged Cap. Does that remind you of anything? The Goddess Ceres, the God of Agriculture and Bounty, matching the farming implements on the obverse. The Watermark shows Kaiser Wilhelm I, along with the denomination. The Text translated by Google Translate is:
"A Hundred Mark Reichsbank main cash paying in Berlin without the identity check the
Supplier of this Banknote. Berlin, den 21, April 1910; Empire Bank's Board of Directors. (One Hundred ReichsMark).
Any person who counterfeit or falsifies banknotes or counterfeit or falsified banknotes and in
Transport is punishable by prison not less than two years."
Incidentally, Germany was on the Gold Standard back then and each German Mark was worth .358 Grams of gold. Using my diminishing math skills means that this banknote could be exchanged for 35.8 Grams of Gold. Since there are a little over 30 Grams of Gold to each ounce, then this Banknote would have been exchangeable for over an ounce of Gold back in 1910 Germany. Unfortunately, the bill is worthless, except to a lover of beautiful engraving and I do love having this note in my collection.
I hope you enjoyed this blog, I enjoyed doing the research.
https://www.leftovercurrency.com/1000-mark-reichsbanknote-1910-value/
Comments
Kepi
Level 6
Beautiful note! Loved this blog!
coinsbygary
Level 5
This is an excellent post! I have repeatedly run into Germania in many of my coins and medals. I find it fascinating how she has been used throughout the history of Germany.
World_Coin_Nut
Level 5
Beautiful note. Thanks for sharing.
"SUN"
Level 6
Nice looking note. Enjoyed the blog.
RPSeitz
Level 4
Thank you for sharing. Very reminiscent of Lady Liberty. Exciting!!
Longstrider
Level 6
What a remarkably beautiful note you found. It seems that note was well taken care of. Brilliant colors after all it has seen. Thanks for the history behind it. Germania has the same look of power as Britannia and Lady Liberty. I like the picture of her you included. I believe I have seen that look on my wife's face from time to time. haha! Thanks for blogging this note. I admired it on your thread or forum or whatever we should call them. I was hoping you would blog on it.Thanks..
It's Mokie
Level 6
LOL, better get cracking on that inventory or you're going to be seeing more of Germania.
PastorK7354
Level 4
Very informative blog. Thanks!
CoinLady
Level 6
What a stunning bank note. I did not know there was such lovely paper money out there. I wonder how many of these still exist?
Mike
Level 7
It's absolutely beautiful. Just grabs your eyes. I found a medal of Germania by accident . She truly is a goddess like that note. I wanted to talk about the history which is great but I like the note to musch. Thanks so much for sharing that with us. Pat
Adrien
Level 3
It's hard to find any German note that predates WWI. Nice note!
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
An ounce of Gold, if only you could exchange that now. A lovely not though. Germany has some great items to collect.