This small Notgeld is the 1st denomination of a 5-piece set, issued by the Community of Triebes, Hohenleuben, and Langenwetzendorf. The villages rest on the northeast of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, along the Triebes tributary. As part of Lusatia, the region is known for it's Sorbian history. The Sorbs are a Western Slavic people, native to the region and historically spoke their own language.
Notably this Notgeld set is color-coded and features repeating design elements. All notes feature the Burg Reichenfels on their reverse. To our knowledge this refers to the ruins of the Burgruine Reichenfels. A 12th century castle near Hohenleuben, which fell to disrepair in 18th century. Which Prince Heinrich XLIII (1752-1814) unsuccessfully attempted to rebuilt.
Observe
The right side of the observe features a large number "1" representing it's 1 Pfennig value. Below are individual Coat of Arms, representing the villages of Triebes, Hohenleuben, and Langenwetzendorf. While badly smudged the symbols can be used to identify the different villages. The top representing Hohenleuben and can be easily read. While the left and right represent Triebes and Langenwetzendorf.
To the right the header reads "Pflege Reichenfels". The German term "Pflege", roughly translates to "care". A reference to a now long obsolete medieval administrative/defense system. In which the leader of a castle or monastery, was responsible for the care of surrounding villages. In this case the Burg Reichenfels provided the place of refuge.
The text below the header is read together with the center text. It states the it's a voucher for One Pfennig, from the beforementioned communities. Below states the voucher's "7 March 1921" print date, in Triebes. Followed by signatures representing members of the board. The representative from Triebes is listed as municipal, rather than a community board member.
This represents the village of Triebes, as the municipal seat of the Pflege.
Full Translation
Care Reichenfels
Voucher of the communities of
Triebes, Hohenleuben, and Langenwetzendorf
for One Pfennig
-Main Text-
Triebes, the 7 March 1921
The Municipal Board
(signature)
Hohenleuben, The Community Board
(signature)
Langenwetzendorf, The Community Board
(signature)
-Sub Text-
Reverse
The reverse features an illustration of the Burg Reichenfels. While no date is given, given the castle is complete. We can assume it depicts before the castle fell to complete disrepair. As Prince Heinrich XLIII (1752-1814) unsuccessfully attempted to rebuilt it, from the ground up. Before his financial ruin, ended the new castle's completion.
Below the illustration is an excerpt, from a currently unknown piece of literature. These excerpts appears throughout the Notgeld series. Moving toward the sides the voucher's 1 Pfennig value, represented by columns that read "1 Pfg" .
Surrounding the illustration and columns, is wrap-around text. It states the voucher can be redeemed at the Triebes city treasury and is valid within the beforementioned villages. At the lower-right corner the printer is listed as "Otto Hennig A.G." in Greiz.
Full Translation
The distress at home is so heavy!
Modestly, simply, that's why I yell.
Let the sun shine golden again.
I have to manfully do my best for you all,
on a small scale.
-Poem-
Redeemable at the Triebes city treasury,
valid in Triebes, Hohenleuben, and Langenwetzendorf.
-Wrap Around Text-