Expert: Brad Swain - 5/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello, my mother recently found several Reichsbanknotes and I was wondering if they were worth anything.  They do show some wear, but the only note that I've found any information on and very little at that, is the 5 Reichsmark with the dates of 15 Juni,1939 and 1 August, 1942. Also found are 3 10 Reichsmark notes, all dated 30 August, 1924- 23 Januar, 1929; 2 50 Reichsmark notes, both dated 30 August, 1924- 30 Marz, 1933, these have a picture of a man called David Gansemann(?)on them; lastly was found a ZweiRentenmark. Any advice you could give me about these notes would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much, Georgette

ANSWER: Hi Georgette, Collector value of a note depends on date, denomination (face value), series letter or signature and condition, including amount of wear, any folds, tears or stains as well as collector demand.
5 Reichsmark 1 August, 1942, collector value may be worth about $5 with heavy wear to around $15 with moderate wear to maybe $25 with light wear. If the 5 watermark in the white area is upside down it may be worth a good bit more.
10 Reichsmark notes, 23 January, 1929, with man's head as watermark it may be worth about $3, $10, $15 in the same conditions as listed above.
50 Reichsmark notes, 30 March, 1933, these have a picture of a man called David Gansemann(?)on them, if as above $6, $15, $25.
2 Rentenmark, date?, number of digits in serial number?
Paper Money Gallery: http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/notedir/mappage.html
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brad,  The date on the Rentenmark is 15 Oktober, 1923 and the serial number is C57534033.  Thank you!!  Georgette

Answer
Hi Georgette, the 1923 date, or earliest date on most German notes refers to the law authorizing the issue. A later date indicates actual issue year. On this one it is 1937. The 8 digit serial number means collector value may be worth about $3 with heavy wear to around $10 with moderate wear to maybe $15 with light wear.
Brad