5 Mark Mark #177

Front

Ornate decorative design with Gothic text 'Darlehnskassenschein' (Loan Bank Certificate) and 'Fünf Mark' (Five Mark). The Darlehnskassenscheine were emergency paper money issued by the German Empire during World War I to finance the war effort, authorized by the Reichsschuldenverwaltung (Imperial Debt Administration). These notes circulated alongside Reichsbanknoten and were backed by war loans rather than gold reserves.

Back

Germania, the national personification of Germany, depicted as a young woman wearing a laurel wreath and flowers in her hair. The German Imperial Eagle (Reichsadler) appears at upper left. Text reads 'Fünf Mark' and 'Berlin, den 1. August 1917' with 'Reichsschuldenverwaltung' below. Germania was a common allegorical figure on German currency representing the nation's strength and unity during the imperial period.

History

The Darlehnskassenscheine (Loan Bank Certificates) were emergency currency issued by the German Empire during World War I from 1914 to 1922. The 5 Mark note dated August 1, 1917 was part of the wartime financing mechanism, backed by war bonds rather than gold reserves. These notes were issued by the Reichsschuldenverwaltung (Imperial Debt Administration) and printed by the Reichsdruckerei in Berlin. They circulated until the hyperinflation crisis led to their replacement by the Rentenmark in 1923-1924. The Pick-56b variant features specific signature combinations and serial number styles that distinguish it from earlier and later printings.