1923 AD., Germany, Westphalia, Notgeld, 10000 Mark, Jaeger 20a.

Germany, Westphalia, Notgeld, 1923 AD.,
10000 Mark (44,5 mm / 30,93 g), gilt red bronze (tombac), mintage 315.809 , medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), plain edge,
Obv.: · Minister vom Stein · Deutschlands Führer in schwerer Zeit 1757-1831 , his head facing left, high relief, broad rim.
Rev.: · Notgeld der Provinz Westfalen · / 1923 // 10000 / Mark , Westphalian horse prancing left, broad rim.
Jaeger N 20a ; Funck 645.7A ; Menzel 14018.18 .

Year / Mintage
1923 / 315.809 (gilt red bronze / tombac, high relief, broad rim)
1923 / 199.657 (gilt bronze, low relief, small rim)

From a series of coins were issued in the post World War I period by the German province of Westfalen. They were not official currency. According to Jaeger´s catalog these Westphalian pieces were even not actually Notgeld. None of the pieces ever circulated; they were made solely as souvenirs and for fundraising to finance the civil disorder against French occupation of the industrial areas of the Ruhr. The pieces made in fall 1923 were supposed to circulate, but by the time they were issued, they already were worthless. And the 1 Billion Mark piece (a German Billion is a trillion) even came out after the inflation, and was then sold at the price of 2.50 RM.

Die schwereren Notmünzen der preußischen Provinz Westfalen aus Bronze-Legierungen welche 1921-23 während der Inflation geprägt wurden werden im Nennwert von 10000 bis 50 Millionen Mark auch als sogenannte "Ruhrdukaten" bezeichnet. Zum Zeitpunkt der Ausgabe bereits von der Inflation überrollt und faktisch wertlos, fanden sie keine Verwendung mehr als Zahlungsmittel. Vielmehr wurden sie an Schulen verschenkt oder als Erinnerungsstücke verkauft. Aus den Verkaufserlösen wurde u.a. der Kampf gegen die Besetzung des Ruhrgebiets durch die Franzosen unterstützt.

Heinrich Friedrich Karl Reichsfreiherr vom und zum Stein (25 October 1757 – 29 June 1831), commonly known as Baron vom Stein, was a Prussian statesman who introduced the Prussian reforms that paved the way for the unification of Germany. He promoted the abolition of serfdom, with indemnification to territorial lords; subjection of the nobles to manorial imposts; and the establishment of a modern municipal system.
Stein was from an old Franconian family. He was born on the family estate near Nassau, studied at Göttingen, and entered the civil service. Prussian conservatism hampered him in his efforts to bring about changes. In 1807, he was removed from office by the King for refusing to accept the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, but was recalled after the Peace of Tilsit.

After he criticized Napoleon, Stein was obliged to resign on 24 November 1808 and retired to the Austrian Empire and in 1812 to the Russian Empire . After the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, Stein became head of the council for the administration of the re-conquered German countries.