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Auction: 322 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 408

Czechoslovakia. Theresienstadt (Terezen). Ghetto. Complete Set of Camp Currency -- 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Kronen. Campbell 4111-4117, Feller CZ 650-656, S&B 701-707. Vignette of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. World War II's most infamous camp currency, these notes were part of an elaborate sham by the Nazi propaganda machine to present a "model camp" in Theresienstadt for Red Cross inspection. They were designed in 1942 by inmate Peter Kien, a Czech artist and poet, who later died at Auschwitz in 1944. The notes' design was objected to by either Adolf Eichmann or Reinhard Heydrich, SS Reichprotecktor for Bohemia and Moravia, on the grounds that the depiction of Moses looked "Aryan". The design was sent back with orders for Kien to give Moses more stereotyped Semitic features. He modified Moses and the final design was engraved by Jindra Schmidt, a noted engraver of Czech banknotes, postage stamps and fiscal paper. All Choice to Gem Uncirculated. [7]

Sold for
$190