1921 - German City of Bitterfield - 50 Pfennig

1921 - German City of Bitterfield - 50 Pfennig
CA$12.00

Offered is an authentic 1921 Germany Bitterfeld Notgeld 50 Pfennig banknote, a beautifully illustrated emergency currency note issued during the Weimar Republic inflation period. This historic Notgeld issue is especially notable for its Reformation-era theme, featuring engraved portraits of Martin Luther and his wife Katharina von Bora on the reverse.

The obverse showcases a stylized townscape and tower of Bitterfeld, framed by bold Art Nouveau–inspired borders and Gothic lettering. Issued as “Notgeld der Stadt Bitterfeld,” the note includes official redemption text and was printed by Kunstanstalt H. F. Jütte of Leipzig, reflecting high artistic quality.

The reverse highlights Luther and Katharina von Bora alongside German text referencing their lives and the Protestant Reformation, with an additional panoramic town vignette below. Printed in warm brown and ochre tones with strong black linework, this note exemplifies the cultural, historical, and artistic focus that made German Notgeld highly collectible.

A desirable piece for collectors of German Notgeld, Reformation memorabilia, Martin Luther historical items, and illustrated Weimar-era banknotes.

Obverse (Front)

  • Denomination: 50 Pfennig displayed prominently on both left and right panels.

  • Central Image:
    An illustrated town tower and surrounding buildings of Bitterfeld, rendered in a painterly, woodcut-style design with soft pastel tones (violet, green, and ochre).

  • Text Panels:
    German script explains redemption terms and validity, typical of municipal Notgeld.

  • Design Style:
    Strong Art-Nouveau / expressionist influence with bold borders and symmetrical layout.

  • Issuer Line:
    Bottom inscription reads “Notgeld der Stadt Bitterfeld” (Emergency money of the City of Bitterfeld).

  • Printer:
    Credited to Kunstanstalt H. F. Jütte, Leipzig, indicating professional artistic production.

Reverse (Back)

  • Portraits:
    Features Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora (his wife), depicted in engraved portrait panels.

  • Captions:
    Identifies Luther and Katharina von Bora, with historical notes referencing her years in a convent before marriage.

  • Religious Quotations:
    German text quotes attributed to Luther, reinforcing the Reformation theme.

  • Lower Vignette:
    A panoramic townscape illustration beneath the portraits, likely representing Bitterfeld or a symbolic Reformation-era city.

  • Artist Credit & Date:
    Signed H. Schiebel – Bitterfeld – 1921.

  • Color Palette:
    Warm browns and ochres with black linework, giving the note a historic, manuscript-like appearance.