100000 Mark Papiermark #191

Front

German Weimar Republic hyperinflation note issued during the catastrophic monetary collapse of 1923. The Reichsbanknote bears the date 'Berlin, den 25. Juli 1923' (July 25, 1923) and features the Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) in seals at left and right. The text states that the Reichsbank head office in Berlin will redeem this note to the bearer from September 1, 1923, and it can be called in and exchanged for other legal tender. This note represents the peak of the hyperinflation crisis that destroyed the German Mark, when denominations reached into the billions and trillions before the currency reform of November 1923 introduced the Rentenmark.

Back

Plain reverse with no printed design, showing only the greenish-gray paper stock. This blank-back design was typical of many German hyperinflation notes issued during 1923, when the Reichsbank was printing currency at such volume that elaborate designs were abandoned to save time and resources.

History

This 100,000 Mark note is part of the Reichsbanknote series issued during Germany's devastating hyperinflation of 1923, when the Papiermark collapsed due to war reparations, the French occupation of the Ruhr, and excessive money printing. Between January and November 1923, prices increased by billions of times. The Reichsbank issued notes in ever-higher denominations, reaching 100 trillion Mark by November. This July 25, 1923 issue represents a mid-stage of the crisis. 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 are common survivors due to their massive printing volumes.