Jay Smith & Associates: Slesvig: Ephemera: Notgeld Currency

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Slesvig: Ephemera: Notgeld Currency

Notgeld, as represented in the Schleswig-Holstein post-WWI plebiscite region, was both a form of local emergency currency issued in response to severe inflation, and as an expression of the cultural and political themes of the day. It was widely collected at the time of issue and much of it was actually issued for sale to collectors. As a result, the majority of notgeld were created as miniature works of art, often "signed" by the artists, and printed in vibrant colors and with obviously political designs and themes. The designs literally represent a "tug of war" between the competing interests of the Danish and German populations -- one actually pictures a "tug of war" between people of the two political sides!

Because many examples of the issued notgeld quickly went into collections, it is not unusual, nearly 100 years later, to encounter groups of them in superb, uncirculated condition; that is actually more the norm than the exception. Often the most beautiful designs are relatively inexpensive (because they were saved by collectors) while some of the mundane designs are now scarce. Though not philatelic, the designs can include stamps (scarce). However, philatelists often enjoy notgeld because of the wonderful graphics and historical link to the 1920 Slesvig / Schleswig stamps and postal history of the plebiscite era.

I am sorry, all of the items offered on this page have been sold (or the page is still in the process of being created and filled). I will be filling/refilling this page soon, but if there is something you are seeking, please email me to let me know about your interest.

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