Germany Weimar Republic stamps year 1922 20m

Overview of Weimar Republic Postage Stamps (1921-1924)

The Weimar Republic, established in Germany following World War I, produced a variety of postage stamps during the early 1920s, particularly between 1921 and 1924. This period was marked by significant economic challenges, notably hyperinflation, which influenced the design and denominations of the stamps issued.

Postage Stamps Issued in 1921

1. Definitive Issue: Numerals (May – December 1921)
   • Watermarks: Lozenges (May – December) and network (from December).
   • Notable Denominations:
     • 30 pfennig, olive green
     • 75 pfennig, deep blue
   • Variations: Included colored dots and missing ribbons in designs.
2. Post Horn Issue (June – December 1921)
   • Featured designs of post horns with a watermark of a network.
   • Notable for its variety of denominations including:
     • 200 mark with unique features such as a hook on the second letter ‘s’ in “Deutsches”.
3. Surcharges and Overprints
   • In August 1921, newly printed Germania stamps were issued with surcharges, such as “1.60 m. on 5 pf.” which had distinct printing characteristics .

Postage Stamps Issued in 1924

1. Centenary of German Railways
   • Stamps featured intricate Art Nouveau designs celebrating the centenary of German railways.
   • These stamps reflected cultural influences and were part of a broader artistic movement during the Weimar period 6.
2. Transition to New Currency
   • By late 1924, Germany introduced the Rentenmark to stabilize the economy after hyperinflation rendered earlier paper marks nearly worthless.
   • The transition involved exchanging old paper marks for new currency at a rate that cut twelve zeros from prices.

Impact of Hyperinflation

During this period, the German Papiermark experienced severe inflation, particularly from late 1922 to early 1923. The exchange rate plummeted dramatically:

• From approximately 320 marks per dollar in mid-1922 to over 4 trillion marks per dollar by late 1923.
• This hyperinflation led to the issuance of extremely high-denomination stamps, such as those valued in millions and billions of marks, reflecting the economic turmoil .

Conclusion

The postage stamps from the Weimar Republic during 1921 to 1924 not only served postal purposes but also mirrored the socio-economic conditions of Germany at that time. The designs varied significantly, influenced by cultural movements and the pressing realities of hyperinflation that characterized this tumultuous period in German history.