50 Pfennig Gutschein 

• 1917 
• Germany 
• Mark 0.50 (50 Pfennig) 
• 1916 - 1919 

3990103

Banknotes

50 Pfennig Gutschein

1917

If the illustration of the reverse of the note be examined with care, it will be observed that each of the small circlets on the obverse and reverse contain the name of the town " Stadt Niederlahnstein " issuing this paper money, with two exceptions, namely, those just above the ham and above the swedes or turnips, which are portrayed on the reverse. The words above the ham run thus:- — " Zarte sehnsucht susses hoffen," a line from Schiller, which may be trans- lated, "tender longing, sweet hopes," whilst above the swedes is a line from an old German song, "So leben wir, so leben wir," meaning "thus we live, thus we live." In the grave circumstances, the imprint of a jest upon the very currency itself betrays an abnormal condition of mind — a flippancy and lack of self-respect. The German Government disapproved of this note and ordered it to be recalled. The specimen here reproduced cost fifteen shillings ; the rarity of the note will probably lead to a much higher fancy value.