1914 (1917) Germany 1 Mark State Loan Note Red Serial Brown Underprint PCGS VF35 Empire Era

1914 (1917) Germany 1 Mark State Loan Note Red Serial Brown Underprint PCGS VF35 Empire Era

Offered is a historic 1 Mark Darlehnskassenschein (State Loan Note) from the German Empire, dated August 12, 1914, but part of the Second Issue printed in 1917. Graded Choice Very Fine 35 by PCGS, this note (Pick #51) was a key wartime currency instrument issued by the Reich Debt Administration (Reichsschuldenverwaltung) during World War I, when hard coinage was being conserved for the war effort.

This example features the distinct red serial number (460-857418) and brown underprint, identifying it as one of the more visually distinctive and collectible types from this series. The back displays a detailed Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) watermark motif surrounded by elaborate guilloche engraving.

Design and Features:

Obverse Highlights:

• The denomination "Eine Mark" appears in Gothic script flanked by ornate value medallions featuring the number 1.

• The issuing authority is noted as the Reichsschuldenverwaltung, and the note is dated "Berlin, den 12. August 1914."

• A large red imperial seal appears in the lower right, complementing the bold red serial number at upper right.

• The background is filled with a delicate brown underprint, a security feature to combat counterfeiting.

Reverse Highlights:

• A vivid olive-green design with symmetrical radial guilloches, surrounding the imperial eagle.

• Multiple repetitions of “1 MARK” in microprint add both texture and authenticity.

• The typography "Darlehnskassenschein" and “Eine Mark” underscore its function as a war loan certificate—currency backed by the government's promise of postwar repayment.

Historical Significance:

As war engulfed Europe, the German Empire introduced emergency paper money to stabilize domestic commerce and reduce reliance on precious metal coinage. These "Loan Bank Notes" were used alongside the standard Reichsbank issues and became a daily fixture in German economic life throughout the war years.

Issued during a time of great national mobilization, this 1 Mark note offers a poignant reminder of the German Empire’s efforts to fund its wartime ambitions through public debt. Its issuance represents the intersection of finance and nationalism at a pivotal moment in early 20th-century history.

Collector’s Value:

Graded Choice VF35 with strong ink color, crisp print, and complete margins, this banknote remains an attractive and historically rich piece despite minor circulation wear and light staining (noted on the reverse). Its red serial and brown underprint elevate its desirability among collectors of WWI-era finance, German Empire numismatics, and early state-issued war notes. An affordable and visually compelling entry into a foundational period of German economic history.