1975 East Germany 5 Mark Banknote – Honoring Thomas Müntzer and Agricultural Solidarity
Pick# 24f | Numista# 206358
Issued by the Staatsbank der DDR, the 1975 5 Mark banknote reflects East Germany’s ideological commitment to revolutionary heritage, collective labor, and socialist modernization. Featuring Thomas Müntzer, a radical theologian and leader of the German Peasants’ War, this note aligns with the GDR’s narrative of class struggle and agrarian reform.
Part of the final series of DDR banknotes before reunification, it stands as a historical artifact of Cold War-era East German identity.
Design Highlights
Obverse: Features a portrait of Thomas Müntzer (1489–1525), a key figure in the early Protestant Reformation and the German Peasants’ War. Celebrated in East German ideology as a champion of the oppressed, Müntzer symbolizes resistance against feudalism and religious orthodoxy.
Reverse: Depicts a convoy of E 512 combine harvesters, representing the GDR’s emphasis on agricultural efficiency and collective farming. These machines were widely used in LPGs (Landwirtschaftliche Produktionsgenossenschaften), the backbone of East German rural production.
Color Scheme: Dominated by earthy browns and olive tones, with intricate guilloche patterns and socialist iconography, including the hammer and compass emblem.
Key Specifications
Feature Description
Country German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Issuer Staatsbank der DDR
Year of Issue 1975
Denomination 5 Mark
Pick Number P# 24f
Numista Catalog N# 206358
Printer VEB Wertpapierdruckerei der DDR, Leipzig
Size 130 × 60 mm
Material Paper
Watermark Thomas Müntzer portrait
Demonetized 1 July 1990 (German reunification)
Why Collect This Note
The 1975 5 Mark banknote offers a compelling narrative of East German values, blending revolutionary symbolism with agricultural realism. It appeals to:
Collectors of Cold War-era and DDR currency
Historians of religious reform, peasant revolts, and socialist movements
Enthusiasts of agricultural design and industrial iconography
Whether part of a thematic collection or a standalone historical piece, this note provides ideological depth, visual strength, and cultural resonance.
