A picture of a stamp with a picture of a city Laufen-50 Pfennig 1920 Townscape

At the end of World War I, Germany was required to pay war reparations to the Allied powers. To do this, the government printed more and more money, causing the value of the Mark to plummet. Inflation spiraled out of control, and prices for goods and services rose dramatically. During the Weimar Republic in Germany (1919-1933), the country experienced a severe economic crisis, which led to hyperinflation and the devaluation of its currency, the German Mark. In November 1923, hyperinflation reached its peak. Prices for everyday goods skyrocketed, and people needed wheelbarrows full of money just to buy basic items. Banknotes were printed in increasingly large denominations, with values of millions, billions, and even trillions of Marks. Notgeld (emergency money) was a form of currency used in Germany during and after World War I, as well as during the hyperinflation crisis of the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). During World War I, the German government began printing more and more money to finance the war effort. This led to inflation and a shortage of coins and banknotes. To address this, local municipalities and private businesses began issuing their own forms of currency, called Notgeld. Notgeld came in various forms, such as paper bills, metal coins, and even stamps or tokens. They often featured unique designs and images, such as local landmarks, historical figures, or scenes from everyday life. Notgeld was intended to be a temporary solution to the currency shortage, and it was only accepted within a specific region or business. During the hyperinflation crisis of the Weimar Republic, Notgeld became more widespread and more creative. As the value of the German Mark plummeted, Notgeld denominations became increasingly absurd, with some featuring values in the billions and trillions of Marks. Notgeld was also used as a means of propaganda, with some bills featuring political slogans or imagery. In 1924, the German government introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, which was backed by land and other tangible assets. This stabilized the economy and helped to restore confidence in the German currency.

Jugendstil, meaning "Youth Style" in German, was an artistic movement that flourished in Germany and parts of Europe from the mid-1890s to around 1910. It's essentially the German version of the broader Art Nouveau movement. The movement has its roots in Munich, Germany. In 1892, a group of visual artists formed the Munich Secession, breaking away from the conservative styles of the art establishment. Their magazine, Jugend (Youth), founded in 1896, became a major platform for Jugendstil ideas and design. The Munich Secession inspired similar movements in other cities like Vienna and Berlin, each with their own take on Jugendstil. Publications like Simplicissimus and Pan further fueled the movement's reach. The style went through two main phases. The earlier phase, before 1900, was heavily influenced by English Art Nouveau and Japanese art. Think flowing, natural forms and floral motifs. Later, a more abstract style emerged, pioneered by the Belgian-born architect Henry van de Velde working in Vienna.