50 Pfennig notes from Lodz ghetto
InventarnummerM2025/007:074
Titel50 Pfennig notes from Lodz ghetto
BeschreibungCollection of four 50 Pfennig notes.
Paper Money in the Lodz Ghetto
The money in Lodz was a bit crude; notes were printed in different shapes. The denominations were 50 pfennig, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mark bills. The obverse had a Star of David in a circle, as well as ‘Quitting ueber’ (receipt for); the denomination was in the center. On the obverse of these notes was ‘Litzmannstadt’ and the issue date along with the title ‘Elder of the Jews in Litzmannstadt’ with the signature of ‘C. Rumkowski.’ The reverse of these bills featured different designs, but all had the denomination and a menorah. Of the paper money, only the 10, 20, and 50 Mark bills were watermarked; the 10 and 20 Mark bills were also printed on plain paper. The 2 and 50 Mark bills are considered rare.
There was a public notice posted in the ghetto in June of 1941 that discussed the existence of forged 2 Mark notes. Written in both German and Yiddish, it read, "The 2 Mark note is hereafter canceled due to the appearance of forged copies." The notice continues, "All residents of the ghetto are requested to deposit their 2 Mark notes at the central cashier. Forged bills will be destroyed, and only real bills will be reimbursed. Anyone found holding forged notes after the exchange period will be severely punished."
Paper Money in the Lodz Ghetto
The money in Lodz was a bit crude; notes were printed in different shapes. The denominations were 50 pfennig, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mark bills. The obverse had a Star of David in a circle, as well as ‘Quitting ueber’ (receipt for); the denomination was in the center. On the obverse of these notes was ‘Litzmannstadt’ and the issue date along with the title ‘Elder of the Jews in Litzmannstadt’ with the signature of ‘C. Rumkowski.’ The reverse of these bills featured different designs, but all had the denomination and a menorah. Of the paper money, only the 10, 20, and 50 Mark bills were watermarked; the 10 and 20 Mark bills were also printed on plain paper. The 2 and 50 Mark bills are considered rare.
There was a public notice posted in the ghetto in June of 1941 that discussed the existence of forged 2 Mark notes. Written in both German and Yiddish, it read, "The 2 Mark note is hereafter canceled due to the appearance of forged copies." The notice continues, "All residents of the ghetto are requested to deposit their 2 Mark notes at the central cashier. Forged bills will be destroyed, and only real bills will be reimbursed. Anyone found holding forged notes after the exchange period will be severely punished."
EntstehungszeitraumWorld War II (1939-1945)
Schlagwortghetto experiences, ghetto conditions, ghettos
Objektbezeichnungcurrency
Materialpaper
Format
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum collection, donated by the Kleinlehrer family in memory of Aron and Helen Kleinlehrer.
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.