Fleet Hundreds
The Fleet Hundred , sometimes referred to as the Blue Hundred , is a banknote of the German Empire . It was first issued in 1908 and theoretically remained valid until 1925, but disappeared from payment transactions at the end of 1922 due to inflation . There are three outputs that are differentiated by the print data. The first edition is dated February 7th, 1908, the second on September 10th, 1909 and the third on April 21st, 1910. There is a variant of the latter with a green instead of a red seal. The notes with the green seal were reprinted from late 1918 to early 1923.
Historical background
At the beginning of the 20th century , the German Empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II . to build a modern and powerful ocean-going fleet . Due to the special imperial preferences, depictions of the fleet appear particularly frequently during this period. That is why this banknote was popularly called "Fleet Hundreds". The banknote is overloaded with military and historical references and was determined by the fear of encirclement at that time. The subtle placement of Art Nouveau on the front and back is interesting , which can only be seen on closer inspection. For example, the “plant-like structure” that frames the back is typical of Art Nouveau, as is part of the ornamentation on the front, for example the frame of the two allegories .
Value side
On the value side of the banknote, starting from the left, there are:
- Watermark (picture of Kaiser Wilhelm I. )
- 100 in digits
- Serial number next to Hermes , the messenger of the gods , and an eagle bearing the value
- Notice of punishment for forgery in Gothic script
- Lettering Reichsbanknote , one hundred marks , payment guarantee, printing date,
- Two imperial seals , signatures of the Reichsbank directorate,
- In the background the imperial regalia with the imperial crown , crossed scepter and Albrecht sword. The central point is the orb. Underneath a bundle made of oak and bay leaves. A halo emerges from the center.
- Flora or Ceres with a wreath of ears , underneath an eagle bearing a value, serial number
- Indication of punishment for falsification in Latin block letters
Image side
Starting from the left, the picture page shows:
- the lettering "One Hundred Mark"
- Imperial fleet
- Allegorical implements ( plow for agriculture, anvil for handicraft, cogwheel for industry, package for colonial goods and cadastral for trade)
- Oak as a symbol for Germany
- A well armed and watchful but relaxed (with crossed legs) Germania . She is based on the shield with the imperial eagle. She has pulled the sword a little out of its scabbard. She wears the imperial crown and laurel (military fame) and a heavy coronation cloak.
- The image is surrounded by plant-like structures that bear the value number and serial number
- Watermark with serial number and value