German banknotes 1937–1944

Germany was preparing for war, and one small sign of this preparation was the issue of two banknotes.

The banknotes were issued in 1937 and replaced the 1, 2 and 5 denominations in coins.

In 1938 Germany annexed Austria and the Austrian monetary system was changed from schillings and groschen to pfennigs and marks.

In 1939 Germany used the printing plates of the former Austrian 100-schilling banknote of 1936 to print a new 20-mark note.

On 1 September 1939 Germany attacked Poland.

Propaganda was used extensively; banknotes were also changed to reflect the Nazi ideology of the period.

Only one banknote of the new series was issued: a 5-mark note from 1942.