1916 City of Kaspelburg Germany 2 Mark

1916 City of Kaspelburg Germany 2 Mark
CA$9.00

This is a 2 Mark German Notgeld note issued by the town of Kaspelburg (or Kastelburg), dating from around 1921–1922 — a classic example of Germany’s themed regional emergency money (Notgeld) that celebrated local legends and historical events.

This specific note depicts a scene from medieval history, complete with Gothic text, heraldic symbols, and storytelling artwork — making it both a financial artifact and a miniature historical illustration.

🏦 Issuer & Origin

  • Issuer: Stadt Kaspelburg (modern-day Castelberg, in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany)

  • Region: Likely part of Schleswig-Holstein or Lower Saxony, depending on local issue variations

  • Country: Germany (Weimar Republic period)

  • Date of Issue: Circa 1921–1922

  • Denomination: 2 Mark

💶 Type of Currency

This note belongs to the era of German Notgeld (“emergency money”), printed during the post–World War I inflation crisis.
By 1921–1922, Notgeld had evolved from a temporary currency substitute into a collectible local art form.
Towns and cities issued elaborately illustrated series that celebrated local myths, heroes, and historic battles — often sold to collectors across Europe.

🎨 Design & Artistic Features

  • Front (obverse):

    • Title: “Notgeld auf dat Kaspel Burg s/d” — translates roughly to “Emergency money of Kaspelburg.”

    • Main Scene:
      A dynamic medieval battle scene showing armed men rallying around a figure at a castle gate — likely referencing a local uprising or defense associated with the Saxon Wars or feudal conflicts in northern Germany.

    • Inscription (center-right):

      “Röhrert de Hände, sniedet de Sachsbände. 1145.”
      This Low German (Plattdeutsch) phrase roughly translates to:
      “Raise your hands, cut the Saxon bonds. 1145.”
      — suggesting a rebellion or liberation moment in local medieval history.

    • Upper-right corner: Shows the town’s coat of arms, featuring a castle wall, green field, and a red key emblem, possibly symbolizing defense or the town’s gatekeeper heritage.

    • Denomination: “2 M” (2 Marks), printed within a medieval shield design.

    • Artist signature: “J. Nielsen” — one of several artists known for designing northern German Notgeld, including issues from Schleswig-Holstein towns.

  • Colors:

    • Printed in earth tones with red, yellow, green, and blue accents, typical of early 1920s lithographic Notgeld.

    • The design’s composition blends folk art and medieval illustration, giving it both historical and rustic charm.