1921 – German City of Kiel 80 Pfennig

This vibrant 1921 Notgeld issue from the port city of Kiel is a richly illustrated festival note celebrating the Kieler Herbstwoche für Kunst und Wissenschaft (Kiel Autumn Week for Art and Science). The obverse is filled with lively, medieval-style genre scenes showing dancing figures, musicians, laborers, merchants, and everyday townsfolk engaged in festive and working activities. These colorful vignettes are arranged around a bold central diamond displaying the “80 Pf” denomination, emphasizing movement, celebration, and communal life. The dynamic composition reflects the spirit of public festivals revived during the Weimar era as a form of cultural resilience.

The reverse features a striking maritime theme dominated by a large sailing ship, symbolizing Kiel’s long-standing naval and trading heritage as a major Baltic port. The city’s coat of arms is prominently displayed at the center, flanked by the denomination 80 Pfennig in dramatic Gothic lettering. Text ribbons announce the festival dates—10–18 September 1921—and confirm the note’s acceptance during the Herbstwoche, as well as its later redemption at the Kieler Bank. The bold color palette of green, red, black, and cream gives the note a strong visual impact and excellent display appeal.

Date Issued
September 1921

Denomination
80 Pfennig

City / Town
Kiel, Germany

Theme
Festivals and public life, Kieler Herbstwoche, maritime heritage, art and science, Weimar-era cultural revival

This Kiel 80 Pfennig Notgeld note is a highly collectible example of event-issued emergency money, prized for its dense narrative artwork, maritime symbolism, and its direct connection to one of Germany’s notable postwar cultural festivals.