1922 (1923) Overprint Germany 1,000,000,000 Marks, AU

The 1,000,000,000 Marks banknote from 1923 is a vivid relic of Germany’s hyperinflation period. This note was originally a 1,000 Mark from 1922 but received a dramatic overprint in red, increasing its denomination to 1,000,000,000 Marks. The obverse features a black print on a brown underprint with the iconic Reichsadler crest (German eagle heraldry), symbolizing the state. The right third of the note shows a brown tint vertically, and the series and serial numbers appear in green or black at the top. A bold red overprint stretches diagonally across the note, signifying the new, much larger denomination.

The reverse continues the brown print theme, with the note's value at the center and an anti-counterfeiting warning in scroll form along the bottom. A watermark showing the original denomination (1000) in a braid design is visible vertically along the right side of the note. The note's appearance captures the economic turmoil and rapid currency devaluation during post-World War I Germany.