1921 – German City of Merseburg 50 Pfennig Notgeld “Rathaus” Note

1921 – German City of Merseburg 50 Pfennig Notgeld “Rathaus” Note
CA$9.00

1921 German City of Merseburg 50 Pfennig Notgeld note is a beautifully illustrated example of Weimar-era emergency currency, issued during the severe monetary disruption that followed World War I. Authorized by the City of Merseburg (Saxony-Anhalt) and dated 1 May 1921, this note formed part of a richly artistic municipal series designed to replace scarce coinage in everyday circulation.

The obverse is printed in a striking violet and ochre color palette and features a detailed architectural vignette labeled “Rathaus”, depicting Merseburg’s historic town hall. The scene shows the civic building framed within an ornate oval cartouche, with surrounding decorative motifs and period buildings rendered in a stylized, hand-drawn manner typical of early 1920s German Notgeld. The denomination “50 Pf.” is boldly displayed in the corners, emphasizing its role as a higher-value local issue.

The reverse bears the inscription “Gutschein der Stadt Merseburg” (Voucher of the City of Merseburg) and prominently displays the city’s recurring raven perched on a ring, a strong heraldic symbol associated with Merseburg and used consistently throughout the series. Additional features include an official serial number, the municipal authorization “Der Magistrat,” and the signature of the city treasurer. The note was printed by Gebrüder Parcus of Munich, a well-known German security printer responsible for many high-quality Notgeld issues.

Higher-denomination Notgeld notes such as this 50 Pfennig issue often experienced heavier circulation and were frequently redeemed and destroyed, making well-preserved examples increasingly desirable today. This Rathaus design is especially sought after for its architectural subject matter, harmonious color scheme, and classic Weimar-era artistic style.

Key Banknote Details

  • Year Issued: 1921 (dated 1 May 1921)

  • Country: Germany

  • City: Merseburg

  • Denomination: 50 Pfennig

  • Issuer: City of Merseburg

  • Printer: Gebr. Parcus, München

  • Type: Notgeld (Emergency Money)

  • Era: Weimar Republic / Post-World War I