100 Mark Papiermark #202

Front

Two allegorical female figures representing Germania appear in ornate frames on either side of the denomination. The text 'Hundert Mark' is prominently displayed in Gothic blackletter script in the center, with issuing text below reading 'ZAHLE ICH GEGEN DIESE BANKNOTE HUNDERT MARK REICHSKASSENSCHEIN' and dated 'BERLIN, DEN 1. NOVEMBER 1920'. The Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) appears in red circular seals at lower left and right. This design is characteristic of the Weimar Republic hyperinflationary period when the Papiermark was rapidly losing value.

Back

Central oval medallion containing the denomination '100' with 'Mark' below, surrounded by ornamental oak leaf wreaths and geometric guilloche patterns. The denomination '100' appears in each corner. Oak leaves were a traditional German symbol representing strength and endurance, commonly used on currency of this period.

History

This 100 Mark note belongs to the Reichsbanknote series issued during the early Weimar Republic period, printed on November 1, 1920. This was the beginning phase of the catastrophic hyperinflation that would devastate the German economy from 1921-1923. The Papiermark, which had been introduced in 1914 to replace the pre-war Goldmark, rapidly depreciated during and after World War I. By 1923, the currency had become virtually worthless, with trillion-mark notes being issued. The Papiermark was finally replaced by the Rentenmark in November 1923 at a rate of 1 trillion Papiermark to 1 Rentenmark, ending the hyperinflation. The Reichsdruckerei (Reich Printing Office) in Berlin produced these notes in massive quantities during this period.