Lodz Ghetto mark

Lodz Ghetto mark (German: Mark, Polish: Marka getta łódzkiego) was a surrogate currency that circulated in the Lodz Ghetto in 1940—1944 until the Ghetto was liquidated in August 1944. It was divided into 100 pfennig (German: pfennig). The notes had no value outside the Ghetto, and could not be exchanged into other currencies.

Special ghetto currency
The 10 Rpf coin of the Third Reich was used as a prototype for the earliest Ghetto coins.

When the ghetto was established, its residents were compelled to surrender their cash and valuable possessions in exchange for the ghetto mark. In contrast, other significant ghettos in Poland adopted a distinct approach, permitting the use of Polish zloty banknotes and small denominations of the German Reichsmark with unique stamps indicating their exclusive validity within the confines of the ghetto. This was an effective way to strip ghetto residents of their possessions while preventing them from fleeing. Outside of Poland, only the Terezin Ghetto is known to have used its own surrogate currency.

The earliest 10 pfennig coins' design strongly resembled the Reichspfennig of the Third Reich, and the occupation authorities demanded a new design. Further coins were designed by Morduch Glazer (1890–1950).

The initial design of the banknotes was proposed by Wincenty Brauner, a member of the pre-war art group Jung Jidysz, and featured a man breaking apart his chains; this design was rejected by German authorities. The final design was developed by Ignacy Gutman, head of the Ghetto's construction department: it featured a Menorah and a Star of David in the corner. Printing forms for coins were engraved by Pinkus Szwarc.

Order # 70 of June 24, 1940, was issued by Chaim Rumkowski, and urged Ghetto residents to exchange their money into the Ghetto marks.[1] The use of other money in the Ghetto was punishable by death.

Coins
  • Coins were issued in the following denominations: 10 pfennig, 5, 10 and 20 mark.[2]
Lodz Ghetto coins[2]
Year Nominal Image Metal Diameter Weight Circulation Edge # in

Parchimowicz catalog[3]		 Note
1942 10 pfennig AL-Mg 19,1 0,76 100 000 smooth 13
21 100 000 smooth
1943 5 mark AL 22,5 1,57 32 000 000 14a includes 14b
AL-Mg 22,7 1,03 32 000 000 14b

includes 14a

10 mark AL 28,3 2,6 100 000 15a thickness 1.6-1.7 mm

includes 15b and 15c
3,4 100 000 15b thickness 2.1—2.2 mm

includes 15a and 15c
 AL-Mg 100 000 15c thickness 2.1—2.2 mm

includes 15a and 15b
20 mark
AL 33,45 6,98 600 16

Banknotes
  • Notes were issued in the following denominations: 50 pfennig, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mark.
Lodz Ghetto banknotes
Emission date Series Nominal Obverse Reverse # in catalog

of Parchimowicz/Borkowski
May 15, 1940 50 pfennig 156
1 mark 157
A
2 mark 158
5 mark 159
10 mark 160
20 mark 161
50 mark 162

References
  1. Anna Augustowska (2011-04-17). "Monety z łódzkiego getta" (in Polish). Wirtualny Sztetl. Archived from the original on 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  2. Czesław Kamiński. (1988). Ilustrowany Katalog Monet Polskich 1916—1987. Warszawa: Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza. pp. 43–45. ISBN 8303026410.
  3. Janusz Parchimowicz. (1997). Katalog monet polskich obiegowych i kolekcjonerskich od 1916. Szczecin: Wydawnictwo Nefryt. ISBN 8390570939.
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