A beautiful example here of a note issued in the occupied territories of Lithuania and Estonia for use by the military and its troops.
It is almost uncirculated and with very little wear to show for a century of existence.
The overall issue for these notes was not large and hence they are considered a strong collectible and quite rare in great condition.
Priced to sell it offers a strong addition to any collection.
Design
Issued by: GERMANY – Occupied Territories – Lithuania and Estonia
Darlehnskasse Ost Für Handel und Gewerbe (Trade and Commerce)
Useage: Military and troop spending World War I 20 kopecks
Value: 20 Kopeken
Date: 17.04.1916 Material:
Grade: about uncirculated. aUNC
Catalogue 1 Rosenberg 457
History
The kopeken as a currency unit began in the 16th century and is still being used to this day. Glinskaya Helena, the mother of Ivan IV. of Russia, brought the new currency to market during her monetary reform in Novgorod in 1535.
As a part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Russia’s Bolshevik (communist) government renounced all claim to Finland as well as the future Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as Poland, Belarus and the Ukraine. In real terms this meant that these territories were basically gifted to the German Empire as it was intended to bring them stability via political and economic ties to Germany under various kings and dukes. German rulers were appointed to the thrones of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland.