1921 Germany Mainz 50 Pfennig Notgeld Matte Print w/ Serial PCGS AU58 Rheinland-Palatinate

1921 Germany Mainz 50 Pfennig Notgeld Matte Print w/ Serial PCGS AU58 Rheinland-Palatinate

Offered here is a beautifully preserved 1921 50 Pfennig Notgeld issued by the City of Mainz, located in Rhineland-Palatinate, during the early years of the Weimar Republic. Cataloged as G/M 860.1a / L-836a, this attractive emergency issue is printed in matte ink and includes a visible serial number: 113625, adding to its historical authenticity. It has been graded PCGS Choice About Uncirculated 58, a superb state of preservation for such a richly detailed notgeld type.

Design and Features:
Obverse:
The central motif features the iconic Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom), rendered in warm tones with architectural precision. The cathedral is framed in a festive oak leaf and ribbon wreath, and below it appears the city’s coat of arms—a red shield bearing two silver wheels (the Wheel of Mainz), symbolizing the Archbishopric's authority. Flanking the design are scrollwork panels with Gothic lettering denoting the denomination “50 Pfennig” in striking red ink.

Text inscriptions on the front state the note’s validity and local acceptance terms. Signed by the city’s mayor, the issue date is noted as January 1, 1921.

Reverse:
The back of the note features an ornate panoramic illustration of Marktbrunnen, the famous market fountain in Mainz. Architectural landmarks and statues are surrounded by flowering garlands and bordered with a symmetrical floral pattern. The inscription reads “Notgeld der Stadt Mainz”, clearly marking it as municipal emergency currency.

Historical Significance:
In the wake of Germany’s post-WWI economic instability, cities like Mainz produced their own localized notgeld to supplement the failing Reichsbank currency system. Far from crude emergency scrip, these issues became artistic expressions of regional pride and civic identity—this note being a prime example with its emphasis on Mainz's religious, political, and architectural heritage.

Mainz, as a historical ecclesiastical center and capital of the Rhenish Hesse region, played an essential role in the cultural fabric of early 20th-century Germany. Notes like this give collectors a tangible connection to a city steeped in Roman, medieval, and baroque history.

Collector’s Value:
Graded Choice AU 58 by PCGS, this note showcases sharp printing, vivid colors, and strong eye appeal—traits rarely preserved this well in circulated notgeld. Its regional importance, appealing imagery, and serial-numbered authenticity make it a wonderful choice for collectors of German municipal issues, Weimar ephemera, or European cityscapes on currency. A captivating piece of localized economic art with enduring collector appeal.