1921 -German City of Munster 50 Pfennig

1921 -German City of Munster 50 Pfennig
CA$7.00

Münster (i.W.) 50 Pfennig Notgeld — 1921

🏙️ Issuer

Stadt Münster i.W. (Münster in Westphalia, Germany)
Date of issue: 1 August 1921
Denomination: 50 Pfennig
Type: Local emergency currency (Notgeld)
Material: Paper

🖼️ Front Design (Obverse)

  • The top banner reads:

    “Notgeld der Stadt Münster”
    (Emergency Money of the City of Münster)

  • Central Imagery:
    A detailed woodcut view of Münster’s skyline with its famous Gothic and Baroque spires.
    The date “1570” appears above, commemorating Münster’s historical architecture and long civic heritage.

  • Coat of Arms:
    Centered at the bottom, framed by lions and ornate baroque scrolls, is the Münster city crest, representing strength and historical continuity.

  • Signature Block:
    The lower right corner notes:

    “Münster, den 1. August 1921. Der Magistrat.”
    (Münster, August 1, 1921. The City Council.)

  • Engraver/Artist: Signed “DOMINICUS,” a known graphic artist active in Münster during the 1920s, recognized for his strong architectural linework and expressionist influence.

  • Design Colors:
    Black and gray print on cream paper — giving a refined, monochromatic Art Deco tone, emphasizing contrast and fine structure.

🏛️ Back Design (Reverse)

  • Depicts the Schmisinger Hof, a historic mansion in Münster known for its ornate Baroque gates and architectural significance.

  • The intricate iron gate and stonework are rendered with remarkable precision, emphasizing the city’s architectural grandeur.

  • Border inscriptions show the denomination “50 Pf” and stylized Gothic initials M/W (for Münster i.W.).

  • Caption at bottom:

    “Münster i/W. Schmisinger Hof.”

The artistic restraint and fine craftsmanship of this design place it among the top-tier architectural Notgeld issues of Germany’s postwar period.

💬 Historical Context

Issued in 1921, during the height of Germany’s post–World War I inflationary era, this Notgeld served as small local tender and a civic statement of Münster’s resilience and culture.

Münster, long known for its religious architecture and university heritage, used this note to celebrate both its medieval past and its civic pride.
The date 1570 alludes to Münster’s historic prosperity, while the design’s elegance reinforced the city’s self-image as a cultural and architectural center of Westphalia.