This Notgeld represents the 8th issue of a 10-piece series issued by the City of Herne. The series is an allegory for the German Peasants' rebellions of the late Medieval period. It tells a tale of a woodsman named Joest seeking vengeance against a knight which has dishonored him. This particular issue depicts Joest finally defeating the knight.
Notably all notes of the series are valued at 50 Pfennig. In addition to featuring the same exact observe artwork. The notes only differing in which part of the epic they depict on their reverse. To pay tribute to this storyline. This note will be reviewed reverse first.
Reverse
The reverse is covered almost entirely by artwork. The artwork depicts the Joest holding his ax, while pointing in derision at a fallen. Who dishonored him in the beginning of the storyline. The knight's horse can be seen running off in the distance.
Above is is a banner with a short poem, written in a non-standard German dialect. It depicts how with "a rough strike of the ax" Joest "freed the land". The ends of the banner notes the voucher's 50 Pfennig value. At the upper left corner is small number "8", indicating this is the 8th issue of the series.
Notably the reverse artwork is printed off-center, as was common with some Notgeld. As they were considered somewhat disposable, with some secondary collector's value. As became more common with latter post- Great War (1914-1918) and German Revolution (1918-1919) series.
Observe
The observe depicts a knight guarding the entrance of an arc. The knight shield features a saying in a non standard dialect. It roughly translates to "Riding, plundering is no shame, the best of the land do it". Describing the general impunity that late Medieval German knight could commit crimes. This saying was countered by a peasant equivalent. Translated as, "Let us hang, root out, cut, shut up; tis no sin. He who will not do it will have nothing left".
The knight is flank by 2 panels, marking the note "50 Pfennig" value. The tittle above reads, "City of Herne in Westphalia 1921", clearly noting the voucher's issuer and year. Besides the knight's feet are banners. The left notifies the bearer the Herne city treasurer will pay this note. While the right, features the issue date (1 July 1921), serial number (113336) and city magistrate signature.
Below is the note's printer, listed as "Konstlerdruck, Glauschau (Sachsen)". Which is preceded by a council printer "R. Dulce".
Translation
City of Herne in Westphalia 1921
The city treasurer in Herne pays the consigner
of this voucher 50 Pfennig
Herne in Westphalia
1 July 1921
The Magistrate
(Signature)
Comments