1921 Germany 50 Pfennig municipality of Süderbrarup

1921 Germany 50 Pfennig municipality of Süderbrarup
CA$6.50

This is a 50 Pfennig Notgeld (emergency money) note issued by the Gemeinde Süderbrarup (Municipality of Süderbrarup) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, around 1920–1921.

It’s a historically themed issue commemorating the Battle of Dybbøl (Düppeler Mühle), fought on April 18, 1864, during the Second Schleswig War — a conflict between Denmark and Prussia–Austria over control of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.

This makes it not only an example of regional Notgeld but also a commemorative piece of national history tied to the Danish–German borderlands.

🏦 Issuer & Origin

  • Issuer: Gemeinde Süderbrarup (Municipality of Süderbrarup)

  • Region: Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany

  • Date of Issue: Circa 1920–1921

  • Denomination: 50 Pfennig

  • Language: German

  • Reference Scene: “Düppeler Mühle 28. April 1864” (Dybbøl Mill, April 28, 1864)

💶 Type of Currency

This note belongs to the German Notgeld period (1919–1923), when local towns issued their own currencies due to coin shortages and inflation following World War I.

By 1920–1921, Notgeld had become a popular collector’s medium, with many issues depicting regional landmarks, folklore, or historical battles.

The Süderbrarup note is both a local emergency voucher and a historical commemoration, illustrating pride in Schleswig-Holstein’s identity during a time when its borderlands had recently been redefined after the 1920 plebiscite, which returned Northern Schleswig to Denmark and confirmed Southern Schleswig (including Süderbrarup) as part of Germany.

🎨 Design & Artistic Elements

  • Front (obverse):

    • The central vignette shows the Dybbøl Windmill (Düppeler Mühle) — a famous landmark near Sønderborg, Denmark — which was destroyed during the 1864 battle and later rebuilt as a memorial.

    • The text “Düppeler Mühle 28. April 1864” commemorates the date of the Prussian victory over Danish forces, a turning point in the war.

    • The banner at the bottom reads “Gemeinde Süderbrarup”, identifying the issuing municipality.

    • Decorative grid and scroll patterns in gray, red, and orange, typical of early 1920s German lithographic printing.

    • Denominations “50 Pf.” appear in white circles on each side for balance.

    • Below are signatures of the Gemeindevorstand (municipal officials):

      “Paul Wulffsen” and “Ing. Erhardt C. Sandhaus.”

  • Typography:

    • Classic Fraktur Gothic font, used in almost all German Notgeld for its cultural symbolism and readability.