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Auction: 26008 - World & British Banknotes including the Cockburn & Jersey Collections
Lot: 44

(x) Germany Federal Republic, Allied Occupation, 50 Deutsche Mark, 1948, serial number D20383992A,

This 50 Deutsche Mark banknote was issued as part of the June 1948 currency reform in the Western Zones of Germany, which replaced the Reichsmark with the Deutsche Mark. Although it is often described as an issue of the Federal Republic of Germany, this is a retrospective attribution, as the Federal Republic was not established until May 1949. Printed in the United States by the Tudor Press of Boston and released in August 1948, it reflects both Germany's limited post-war printing capacity and the degree of Allied control over the new currency.

The higher denominations of the Tudor Press series, including the 50 Deutsche Mark, were soon withdrawn due to inadequate security features and vulnerability to counterfeiting. The 50 Deutsche Mark Pick 10a is regarded as the rarest post-war German banknote, a status further enhanced when encountered in this exceptional condition.

(Pick 10a, SB 660), in PMG holder 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, only 1 note in a higher grade on the PMG census

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£8,000 to £12,000

Starting price
£5800