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Auction: 326 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 953

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. Uncirculated. [7] 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 Czech artist, poet and inmate Peter Kien, who later died at Auschwitz in 1944. Either Adolf Eichmann or Reinhard Heydrich, SS Reichprotecktor for Bohemia and Moravia objected to the design claiming 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.

Estimate
$200 to $250