German Notgeld, or emergency money, was issued by municipalities during and after World War I. Most of it was in the form of banknotes, but it also found expression in tokens, leather, silk, linen, wood, postage stamps, aluminum foil, coal, and porcelain. Just about anything could be used as currency if it was mutually agreed upon.

Notgeld tokens issued during and immediately after WWI were frequently struck from uncommon base metals such as zinc, iron, and aluminum. (They were uncommon only in the striking of coinage, of course, but would become increasingly more utilized throughout the 20th century.) If you’ve ever looked into coins struck from these metals, you’ll know just how corroded and worn they can get.

Here's a beautiful Notgeld token in zinc – uncirculated, perfect condition. The color of this unusual metal is very cool – a dark, olive green.

GERMANY. Notgeld. Hersfeld.
Zinc 10 pfennig, 23.5mm, 3.2g, 12h; Heinrich Arld GmbH, Nuremberg.
Obv.: KRIEGSNOTGELD; 10; • ✶ • 1919 • ✶ •
Rev.: STADT HERSFELD above coat of arms.
Ref.: Funck #211.11.