1921 - German City of Schmölln 50 Pfennig

This is one of the most distinctive and symbolic examples of German postwar Notgeld, combining Expressionist art and moral allegory.

🏛️ Overview

• Issuer: Stadt Schmölln (City of Schmölln, Thuringia, Germany)

• Denomination: 50 Pfennig

• Date of Issue: 1921

• Type: Stadtgemeinde Gutschein (Municipal Emergency Voucher)

• Artist/Designer: Often attributed to Karl Schmidt or Hans Grundig in local Expressionist circles — signed Schmidtner and von Bülgenfeld on this note.

• Printer: Local lithographic press, Schmölln

🎨 Design Description

Front (as shown):

A brilliantly stylized composition in black, red, and blue, characteristic of German Expressionism.

• Center:
  A dramatic silhouette scene showing figures (possibly symbolic angels and demons) around a radiant figure — a representation of St. Peter at the gates of Heaven.
  The inscription surrounding the central panel reads:

  “Lachende Sehnsucht am Himmelstor / Schmölln, wo ist sie geblieben / Petrus hat mit Gaigenhumor dich aus dem Himmel vertrieben”

  Translated roughly:

  “Laughing longing at Heaven’s gate — Schmölln, where has it gone? Peter, with violin humor, drove you out of Heaven.”

  This whimsical verse refers to Schmölln’s local legend about merriment, laughter, and perhaps the loss of innocence — a humorous moral allegory common in Notgeld art.

• Surrounding medallions:
  Each shows the value “50 Pf.” with different skyline silhouettes of Schmölln landmarks — churches and towers — in soft blue-gray tones.

• Colors:
  Bold red frame, black silhouettes, and blue-gray denominations.
  The red border includes inscriptions such as:

  • “Schmöllner Notgeld”

  • “1921 bis 1921” (marking the issue year)

  • Signatures of officials (Schmidtner, von Bülgenfeld).

• Serial Number: Printed along the lower edge (yours shows 65,966).

🕰️ Historical Context

After World War I, Schmölln — like many German towns — faced coin shortages and inflation. Local councils issued Notgeld to facilitate trade.
However, Schmölln’s 1921 series stood out for its satirical humor and artistic innovation, mixing moral tales, biblical references, and playful local poetry.

This particular design is part of the “Humor und Legenden” (Humor and Legends) series, illustrating Schmölln’s folk tales through avant-garde Expressionist art.

It was created during the Weimar Republic’s cultural renaissance, when artists used Notgeld as an accessible medium for civic art and social commentary.