Creator1920's German TreasuryBrowse TopicGovernment and PoliticsSubjectCurrency - GermanyWorld War II (1939-1945)World War II ArtifactsNazi Germany and the HolocaustDescriptionThe 1929 Reichsmark became the official German currency. Originally the Reichsmark represented a return to the gold standard (a currency backed by gold in the government treasury). However, after the market crash in 1929 it was taken off the gold standard and stood alone. After being taken off the gold standard, the German Bank (Reichsbank) began printing more and more Reichsmarks to finance Adolf Hitler’s many job programs. In order to keep inflation in check, wage and price controls were instituted, foreign exchange rates were manipulated, and interest rates increased. During WW2, the Germans established fixed exchange rates between their occupied countries and allied nations, usually to give Germany economic benefits. The Reichsmark replaced the Austrian currency of the Schilling after its annexation in 1938. Originally, the notes came in values of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1000. Source: Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (7th ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications Date Original1929Date Range1920s (1920-1929)1930s (1930-1939)1940s (1940-1949)TypePhysical ObjectOriginal FormatCurrencyLanguageGermanContributing InstitutionMartin-Springer InstituteCollectionArtifacts from the Holocaust and Nazi GermanyRights StatementAll images in this collection are the propoerty of the Martin-Springer Institute. For reproduction and re-use contact the Martin-Springer Institute at 928-523-2464.
