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During the First World War, the Reichsbank in Germany was physically unable to print enough money.
Notgeld ('emergency money') was unofficially issued by city authorities in its place. After the initial economic
necessity had passed at t he end of the war, Notgeld was printed as collectors' items, such as this 50 Pfennig note
designed in 1921 by Wenzel H ablik, an Expressionist artist and designer. A plan ofl tzehoe, where Hablik lived,is integrated into its design. From 1922 onwards, however, as hyperinflation took hold and the :M:ark plummeted
in value, Notgeld was reintroduced and denominations rocketed- into the t rillions b y November 1923. At this
point, t he Mark was declared valueless, finding more worth as p lay material and building bricks for children