Two series of antisemitic Notgeld notes. Germany, early 1920s.
In the series:”The dunking Jew” – a note issued in Brakel, Germany, depicting a Jew on a guillotine alongside another Jew dressed in Eastern European attire in an iron cage connected to a crane, being submerged in a river, with the caption: “That’s how we used punish thieves in Brakel!”. Another note from Brakel depicts an Eastern European Jew holding his child out of a window to relieve itself while the Burgomaster (mayor) passes below, with the antisemitic caption: “Why should we let Jews relieve themselves on us.” Also included is the six-note series “The Profiteering Jews, ” issued in Arnstadt, among others.
Notgeld, or emergency currency, was issued in Germany and Austria during the economic distress and hyperinflation following the end of World War I and into the early 1920s. These notes were officially produced by the state (Reichsbanknotes) and often by small towns and businesses (Notgeld), reflecting the widespread antisemitism present in Germany and Austria at that time. This pervasive prejudice contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party, which positioned itself as the savior from Germany’s economic depression and blamed Jews as scapegoats.
Two series of Notgeld – 11 notes. The notes are in very good condition.
