Holocaust and Camp Banknotes - Poland - Łódź Ghetto - 1 Mark 1940 Specimen Note - Punch Cancelled, Very Rare - PMG ...

Holocaust and Camp Banknotes - Poland - Łódź Ghetto - 1 Mark 1940 Specimen Note - Punch Cancelled, Very Rare - PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ Historical Background A One Mark specimen note, dated May 15, 1940, prepared for the internal monetary system of the Łódź Ghetto in occupied Poland, which was renamed Litzmannstadt during the German occupation. The note bears the printed signature of Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski, head of the Jewish Council in the ghetto. Obverse A green geometric design with a Star of David in the upper-left corner. At the center appears "QUITTUNG ÜBER EINE MARK" (Receipt for One Mark), with "DER ÄLTESTE DER JUDEN IN LITZMANNSTADT" (The Elder of the Jews in Litzmannstadt) below. The date "LITZMANNSTADT, DEN 15. MAI 1940" appears at the bottom. The denomination 1 and an all-zero serial number appear at the right. The note is cancelled by a circular punch hole. Reverse A seven-branched menorah appears at the center, flanked by the numeral 1. A central banner bears the inscription "EINE MARK" (One Mark), with a German warning below against counterfeiting, copying or circulating forged receipts. Significance of the Specimen Status The PMG label identifies the note as a SPECIMEN, and it bears serial number 000000, indicating that it was prepared for approval, reference, display or examination rather than circulation. Unlike an issued note cancelled after use, this example was created from the outset as a specimen and punch-cancelled to prevent circulation. Specimen notes were generally produced in limited quantities and were not distributed to the public, making surviving examples considerably less common than regular issued notes. Grade and Catalogue Details The note is graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ. The EPQ - Exceptional Paper Quality designation indicates that, in PMG's opinion, the paper retains its original quality and has not undergone treatments that affected its natural texture. The label also records Pick P0-561as, SB1002, SPECIMEN, Without Prefix Letter, serial number 000000 and the signature of M.C. Rumkowski. A very rare Holocaust-era specimen note and an important record of the preparation and administration of the internal currency imposed upon the inhabitants of the Łódź Ghetto.