10 Reichsmark #182

Front

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), German Renaissance painter, printmaker, and theorist, widely regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance. His portrait appears at right, based on his famous self-portrait. Dürer revolutionized printmaking and was one of the first European artists to gain international fame during his lifetime. The note includes Gothic script text indicating it was issued on the basis of the Bank Act of 30 August 1924, later amended 22 January 1929, making it redeemable at the Reichsbank.

Back

Allegorical figures representing the arts and sciences appear in ornamental panels on either side of a central medallion. The left panel depicts a figure holding artistic implements, while the right panel shows a figure with attributes of learning or wisdom. These neoclassical allegorical representations emphasize Germany's cultural and intellectual heritage during the Weimar Republic period.

History

This note belongs to the Reichsmark series issued by the Reichsbank during the Weimar Republic, following the stabilization of German currency after the hyperinflation crisis of 1923. The Reichsmark was introduced in 1924 to replace the Rentenmark and remained Germany's official currency until 1948, when it was replaced by the Deutsche Mark in West Germany and the East German mark in East Germany. The 1929 series notes featured prominent German cultural figures, with Dürer chosen for the 10 Reichsmark denomination to celebrate Germany's artistic heritage. These notes were printed by the Reichsdruckerei (Reich Printing Works) in Berlin and remained in circulation throughout the Nazi period and World War II.