Three banknotes issued in the Lodz ghetto (Litzmannstadt), as part of the first series of banknotes, May 15, 1940.
Banknotes in denominations of 5 marks, 10 marks, 20 marks.
The Nazis printed a Star of David and a seven-branched Menorah on the banknotes in the Lodz ghetto, in order to give them a Jewish character, and they were also signed by Mordechai Rumkowski, head of the Lodz ghetto Judenrat. The Jewish money printed in the ghetto became the only legal process and was Named "Romkey" or "Haimakey" by the residents, after Mordechai - Chaim Rumkowski. By printing "Jewish money", which was completely worthless outside the ghetto, the Germans intended to absorb the German money in the possession of the Jews and they were obliged to convert any foreign money in their possession into money printed in the ghetto. Holding foreign money was a serious violation of the law and those caught violating it were severely punished. On November 14, 1941, three people were prosecuted before the Jewish Court in the ghetto for forging Jewish banknotes worth 2 Marks.
see also: "Chronicle of the Lodz Ghetto", Vol. I, p. 3, note no. 5, as well as there, pp. 253 - 254 and note no. 143 there.
Encyclopedia of the Lodz ghetto, in the "Yediot Beit Ghetto Fighters' House" (5), (13), p. 63, entry "Rumkey".
Varying states F-VF.
