Proposed Issue for the Occupation of Russia , WWII.

 

 

Some time in late 1941, following the German invasion of Russia , a project was put under way - probably at the State Printing Works in Berlin - for an issue of occupation scrip, designated for areas in the Soviet Union under German control. The result was a series of notes of which the above is one. Entirely in Russian, it was issued by State Bank in Kiev , dated 1941. There were seven denominations in all:

 

1 Ruble (as above) Brown over light brown and green background.

3 Rubles. Violet over green background.

5 Rubles. Violet over green background.

1 Chervonets. Blue over light blue and green background.

3 Chervonetsa. Green over violet background.

5 Chervonsiv. Brown over green and violet background.

10 Chervonsiv. Brown over green and brown background.

 

The notes were never issued, the reason generally assumed to be the decision to not issue notes entirely in Russian. All such notes are rare and those available mostly proofs with serial numbers 00.0000000 and punch-lettered DRUCKPROBE. In the 1960s, only four notes were known with regular serial numbers (such as that above), three of which were in the Soviet archives.

 

The serial number on the note above indicates that originally the issue was a huge one and it seems probable that the unreleased issue was simply fed into the paper beaters to be converted into new notes.

 

The new issue was completely in German, although issued from the Ukrainian Central Bank in Rowno. All notes are dated 10 March 1942 and all were in Ukrainian currency units - the "karbowanez". Even though this issue seems to be for the Ukraine only, it was used throughout what the Germans called "Ostland" - all areas of the Soviet Union under German control.

 

 

Nine denominations were issued: 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-karbowanez. For some reason, the 2-karbowanez was never issued and is relatively rare today. The rest, even the 500-karbowanez, are reasonably easy to come by - at least in the more indifferent conditions. UNCs can sometimes be tough.

Wayne Jacobs is a numismatic expert. Currently secretary and editor of the "Mid-Island Coin Club Numismatic Journal"of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island , British Columbia, he is the award winning author of numerous articles. The MICC journal are hosted here: MICC webpages Copyright 2006 Wayne Jacobs. This article may be reprinted freely for non commercial purpose only if the resource box is left intact, linking back to us.