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These are Wehrmacht banknotes issued in 1942. The denominations were 1, 5 and 10 Reichspfennig (Rpf) and 1 and 2 Reichsmark (RM). The second and last issue of the Wehmacht banknotes of different look and denomination took place 1944. Those banknotes are also available here.

 

Characteristics of 1942 issue:

  • denominations: 1, 5 and 10 Reichspfennig (Rpf) and 1 and 2 Reichsmark (RM)
  • one-sided print
  • watermark protection, but no serial numbers


For comparison characteristics of 1944 issue:

  • denominations: 1, 5, 10 and 50 Reichsmark (RM)
  • two-sided print
  • no watermark, but 50RM banknotes had serial numbers


German soldiers would not be using civilian money outside of the Reich. They used special banknotes issued to all members of the Wehrmacht. Merchants could exchange them to local currency (each occupied territory had its own) at dedicated financial offices. 

 

The war-time pay stretched from ~RM100 for Private (Schütze) to ~RM1700 for a General (some allowances came on top). Soldat could have an evening full of joy and fun for ~5RM.

 

Prices for reference:

  • Mercedes 540K - RM 42,000
  • Volkswagen - RM 900
  • Fountain Pen - RM 10
  • Wrist watch - RM 10
  • Portable typewriter (Olympia) - RM 127.5
  • Pack of cigarettes (12pcs) - RM 3.33 
  • 1kg of bread - 35 Pf 
  • 1kg of pork - RM 1.60
  • 0.25kg of butter - 60 Pf
  • Bottle of beer - 25 Pf (in a bar)
  • Shot of cognac - 20 Pf (in a bar)

Adolf Hitler's salary was RM 1500 a month. Skilled worker in heavy industry earned ~RM 180 per month.

Wehrmacht Banknotes - 1942

PriceFrom $1.50

    ABOUT ME

    Krause Papierwerke is an initiative devoted to recreating top quality, historically accurate and customizable documents from the infamous Nazi-period of German history. All products are made from scratch and shipped from the USA.

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