1921 - German State Bank of Brunswick 25 Pfennig

1921 - German State Bank of Brunswick 25 Pfennig
CA$5.00

This is a 25 Pfennig Notgeld (emergency money) note issued in 1921 by the Braunschweigische Staatsbank (State Bank of Brunswick) — part of the Free State of Brunswick’s official Notgeld series. It features one of the most beloved characters in German folklore, Till Eulenspiegel, and is a beautiful combination of symbolism, humor, and civic artistry.

🏛️ General Information

  • Issuer: Braunschweigische Staatsbank, Free State of Brunswick (Braunschweig)

  • Date of Issue: May 1, 1921

  • Denomination: 25 Pfennig

  • Validity: Until May 1, 1923

  • Printer / Artist: Günther Clausen (noted on reverse)

  • Series Type: State-level Notgeld, circulating as small-change substitute

🎨 Design Details

Obverse (Front)

  • Title: “Braunschweiger Notgeld” (Brunswick Emergency Money)

  • Main Symbol: The white Saxon horse (Braunschweiger Ross) on a red field, the historic coat of arms of Brunswick — symbolizing energy, freedom, and tradition.

  • Color Palette: Vibrant red, yellow, black, and white with bold lettering in early modernist style.

  • Text:
    “Dieser Schein wird von allen staatlichen Kassen in Zahlung genommen. Er verliert seine Gültigkeit am 1. Mai 1923.”
    → “This note is accepted by all state treasuries in payment. It loses its validity on May 1, 1923.”

  • Issuer line:
    “Braunschweigische Staatsbank, Braunschweig, den 1. Mai 1921.”
    → Signed in facsimile by bank officials.

Reverse (Back)

  • Theme: The famous German jester and trickster Till Eulenspiegel, a folk hero said to have been born in Kneitlingen (near Braunschweig) around 1300.

  • Scene:
    Eulenspiegel sits mischievously surrounded by owls (“Ulen”) and mirrors (“Spiegel”), a visual play on his name — “Eulenspiegel” literally means “owl mirror.”
    He holds a frog, symbolizing foolishness and mockery.

  • Text: Written in Low German dialect:

    “Ulen speigel as bäcker.
    Staats lüssen da hei Apen maken un Ulen un Kreihn un anere Saken.”
    (Translation: “Eulenspiegel the baker. The townsfolk let him bake pies of monkeys, owls, and crows.”)
    Followed by:
    “Awer de Deigapen baken noch immer!”
    (“But the doughheads still bake today!” — a satirical jab at human foolishness.)

  • Artist Credit: Günther Clausen

  • Color Scheme: Deep brown, cream, and burgundy tones with detailed shading typical of expressionist illustration.