Germany/Berlin 1.8.1917 - 5 Mark - No X.12135245 - Near UNC

Emperor: Wilhelm II (1888-1918)

Currency: Mark (1873-1923)

Size: 124 × 79 mm

Obverse: The note is printed in a blue/gray color, showing the face of a young woman with floral & foliage hair ornamentation (a wreath, perhaps), the note's numerical value and other design elements - Overprinted in black are the note's title/purpose (Darlehnskassenschein), a crest, the notes textual valuation (Fünf Mark), date, issuing authority, and signatures.

Lettering:Darlehnskassenschein Fünf Mark Berlin, den 1. August 1917 Reichsschuldenverwaltung - Wer Darlehenskassenscheine nachmacht oder verfälscht, oder nachgemachte oder verfälschte sich verschafft und in verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter zwei Jahren bestraft.

Translation: Loan Receipt Five Marks Berlin, this 1st of August, 1917 Reichs Debt Administration - Whosoever copies or falsified loan receipts or acquires and puts copied or falsified notes into circulation will be punished with no less than two years of prison time.

Reverse: The reverse is printed in green - Two instances of the note's serial number are shown in red ink - Overprinted in black are the note's purpose (Darlehnskassenschein), value (numerical and text), and official seals (two) of the Debt Administration.

Lettering: Darlehnskassenschein Fünf Mark 5

Translation: Loan Receipt Five Marks

Watermark: The note is printed on watermarked paper stock. The watermark shows the note's numerical value (5) surrounded by (perhaps) a braid design

References: P# 56b (8-digit serial number)

„Darlehnskassenschein'' were banknotes issued between 1914 and 1922 by the Reichsschuldenverwaltung (Reich debt administration). They were in use until the hyperinflation in 1923.

These banknotes were not legal tender, however they had to be accepted by all public treasuries. Their value was guaranteed by loans on industrial and agricultural goods. Even without the status as legal tender Darlehenskassenscheine were a de facto currency widely used as a parallel currency to the Goldmark during WWI and the beginning of the Weimar Republic.