1918 Rastenburg 5 Mark Notgeld (GEI435.02) – Wartime Emergency Currency from East Prussia

Issued on October 20, 1918, by the city of Rastenburg in East Prussia, this 5 Mark Notgeld (catalogued as GEI435.02) represents a compelling artifact from Germany’s World War I-era emergency money system. As imperial resources strained under wartime pressures, local municipalities like Rastenburg produced Ersatzscheine—temporary replacement notes—to maintain commerce and civic stability. This note reflects both the economic improvisation and regional identity of a nation in crisis.


Key Features & Historical Context

Issuer: Stadt Rastenburg (City of Rastenburg), East Prussia
Denomination: 5 Mark
Date of Issue: October 20, 1918
Catalog Reference: GEI435.02 (German Emergency Issues)
Type: Notgeld (Emergency Money)
Material: Paper
Size: Approx. 145 × 90 mm
Status: Demonetized; issued during the final weeks of World War I


Design Characteristics
Obverse

Municipal coat of arms or emblem of Rastenburg, often stylized or printed in monochrome
Text-heavy layout with denomination, issuing authority, and date prominently displayed
Typography and layout typical of wartime emergency notes—functional, direct, and locally printed

Reverse

Warning against counterfeiting, a common feature in Notgeld issues
Plain or lightly patterned background, emphasizing the utilitarian nature of the note


Why Collect This Banknote?

The 1918 Rastenburg 5 Mark note offers collectors a vivid snapshot of Germany’s wartime monetary improvisation. As part of the broader Notgeld phenomenon, it illustrates how local governments stepped in to fill currency shortages during national upheaval. With its regional provenance, wartime issuance, and historical urgency, this note appeals to collectors of German history, World War I memorabilia, and emergency currency systems. Its issuance just weeks before the armistice adds to its historical weight, making it a poignant relic of a collapsing empire.