Weimar Germany, 50000 mark note, from the album of a Waffen-SS officer acquired by an American soldier 2013.455.5 back
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Weimar Germany emergency 50,000 [funfzig tausend] mark note from the album of Hauptsturmfuhrer Gerhard Pleiss, an officer in the Waffen-SS, SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler," 1st Company. Notes of this type were issued in 1922 as emergency currency during the years of hyperinflation. In 1936, the 21 year old Pleiss volunteered for the SS and was accepted into the Leibstandart, Hitler's personal bodyguard. He was awarded for his leadership in the May 1940 invasion of France and the April 1941 Balkans campaign. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Pleiss was killed by a mine on November 17, 1941, during the offensive on Rostov-on-Don. The note was preserved in Pleiss's photograph album, which was brought back from the war by Milton V. Elliott, an American soldier.
Weimar Germany emergency 50,000 [funfzig tausend] mark note from the album of Hauptsturmfuhrer Gerhard Pleiss, an officer in the Waffen-SS, SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler," 1st Company. Notes of this type were issued in 1922 as emergency currency during the years of hyperinflation. In 1936, the 21 year old Pleiss volunteered for the SS and was accepted into the Leibstandart, Hitler's personal bodyguard. He was awarded for his leadership in the May 1940 invasion of France and the April 1941 Balkans campaign. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Pleiss was killed by a mine on November 17, 1941, during the offensive on Rostov-on-Don. The note was preserved in Pleiss's photograph album, which was brought back from the war by Milton V. Elliott, an American soldier.
- Title: Weimar Germany, 50000 mark note, from the album of a Waffen-SS officer acquired by an American soldier 2013.455.5 back
- Provenance: The bank note was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Wendie Theus, daughter of Milton V. Elliott., The bank note was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Wendie Theus, daughter of Milton V. Elliott.
- Subject Keywords: Soldiers--Germany--Biography. Soldiers--United States--Biography. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--Germany--Biography. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, German., Soldiers--Germany--Biography. Soldiers--United States--Biography. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--Germany--Biography. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, German.
- Type: Exchange Media, Exchange Media
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Oversize, rectangular paper currency on threaded, watermarked security paper in black and brown ink with light green tinting, a security measure. The face has an embellished double frame. On the left side is a portrait of a man in cap and gown, Burgermaster Brauweiler by B Bruyn, a wealthy 16th century merchant, above the denomination 50,000 in an embellished medallion, and the serial number in red/brown ink. The right frame has the serial number at the top. In the center is the denomination Funfzigtausend Mark over an underprint of the Imperial Eagle, with a bank seal in each bottom corner. The far right margin has a large, ornate embellishment with 50000 and an oak leaf watermark, visible on both sides. The note is soiled with deep creases and wrinkles., Oversize, rectangular paper currency on threaded, watermarked security paper in black and brown ink with light green tinting, a security measure. The face has an embellished double frame. On the left side is a portrait of a man in cap and gown, Burgermaster Brauweiler by B Bruyn, a wealthy 16th century merchant, above the denomination 50,000 in an embellished medallion, and the serial number in red/brown ink. The right frame has the serial number at the top. In the center is the denomination Funfzigtausend Mark over an underprint of the Imperial Eagle, with a bank seal in each bottom corner. The far right margin has a large, ornate embellishment with 50000 and an oak leaf watermark, visible on both sides. The note is soiled with deep creases and wrinkles.
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