100,000,000 Mark Papiermark #187

Front

Reichsbanknote of 100 million Mark dated October 26, 1923, issued during the catastrophic hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic. The note bears the Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) seal on both left and right sides, with multiple signatures of the Reichsbankdirektorium. The text indicates that from February 1, 1924, this note could be called in and exchanged for other legal tender. This denomination represents the peak of the hyperinflation crisis when currency values collapsed exponentially daily.

Back

Plain reverse with no printed design, showing only the paper substrate with minimal printing. This blank-back design was typical of emergency high-denomination notes issued during the hyperinflation period when the Reichsbank could not keep pace with printing demands.

History

This 100 million Mark note was issued during Germany's catastrophic hyperinflation of 1923, when the Papiermark collapsed due to war reparations payments, occupation of the Ruhr, and massive money printing. By late 1923, the currency was essentially worthless—a loaf of bread cost billions of marks. The Reichsbanknote series represented emergency issues with simplified designs and often blank reverses to accelerate production. The hyperinflation ended in November 1923 with the introduction of the Rentenmark at a rate of 1 Rentenmark = 1 trillion Papiermark, followed by the Reichsmark in 1924. These notes were officially demonetized on August 30, 1924. The October 1923 date places this note near the absolute peak of the crisis.