Kriegsgefangenen-Lagergeld – “POW Camp Allowance” – two coupons (banknotes) in denominations of 1 and 50 Reichspfennig from a German POW camp, 1939.
The coupon bears the following text in German: “This voucher is valid as a means of payment for prisoners of war only, and may be issued and redeemed solely within the POW camp… The exchange of this voucher for payment will be carried out in legal tender only by the responsible administration. Violations, errors, and counterfeiting will be punished. High Command of the Wehrmacht, Broske.”
With the outbreak of World War II in the autumn of 1939, a standardized camp currency was instituted for all POW camps by the High Command of the Wehrmacht (OKW). These single-sided notes were often additionally stamped on the reverse with the specific camp’s mark (e.g., “Stalag…” for a main camp, or “Oflag…” for an officers’ camp).
The Wehrmacht operated numerous POW camps where soldiers were held in accordance with military law. Many camps had canteens where prisoners could purchase extra food, and some also included sports facilities and libraries. By contrast, Soviet POWs were not only held in such “civilized camps” but also in concentration camps, where many were forced into labor and perished. Once Soviet POWs were transferred to concentration camps, they no longer fell under Wehrmacht jurisdiction, but under the SS. Even during transitional periods, Wehrmacht POW camp money continued to circulate, such as in Lublin.
The 1 Reichspfennig note is in very good condition, while the 50 Reichspfennig note shows slight wear.
