Original Item. Only One Available. The Reichsbank ('Bank of the Reich' or National Bank) was the central bank of the German Empire from 1876 until the end of NSDAP Germany in 1945. Prior to the unification of the empire in 1871, the previous financial infrastructure had been inadequate for the economic development of the individual German states, so Prussia had worked to create a strong national bank, the Bank of Prussia, as well as several other banks in the Northern German Confederation. Following unification, all of the banks were combined under the Bank of Prussia, and the Reichsbank was formed. It was the only bank that could issue legal tender, and aided German development much through the first world war.

Once Germany lost the war and the Weimar republic was formed, the massive war debts and reparations caused the new government to turn to the Reichsbank for financing, which resulted in a period of massive hyperinflation. Following measures to stabilize the financial status of Weimar Germany, the Reichsbank was made an independent central bank for the country. Deflation followed, and as the interwar period continued, the amount of foreign oversight was lowered until it was removed.

Once the NSDAP came to power however, the idea of any national entity being "independent" was done away with, and the Reichsbank was made into an instrument of their policy of directing Germany's resources towards rearmament and military expansion. By amendment of 27 October 1933 to the Banking Law, the General Council was abolished and the Direktorium, including the President, were henceforth to be directly appointed and dismissed by the Führer. The ability to issue currency was then removed from any other state bank besides the Reichsbank, and later the entire directorship of the bank would be replaced by party loyalists who would green light any type of expenditures. At this point in 1939, it was renamed the Deutsche Reichsbank, and for most of the WWII Period the director was also the Minister of the Economy, effectively removing any level of independence.

During the NSDAP period the bank benefited greatly from assets stolen by the NSDAP from businesses and individuals, particularly the Jews. All kinds of personal property, down to removed gold fillings, was acquired and deposited in the bank under fictitious names. As the war drew to a close, much went missing from the bank in attempts to hide the stolen wealth to be used later, and the bank was then slowly liquidated during the post war period.

This is a very nice Reichsbank marked burlap money bag, measuring approximately 13 3/4" x 23", and marked with an early NSDAP style eagle. We assume this is from the latter half of the 1930s, prior to the renaming of the bank, however we doubt that bags would have been discarded if they did not have the full name, so it probably saw service throughout the war. It is the correct weave and color used during the NSDAP period in Germany, and has a line by the top seam, which were used to aid when the fabric was cut. Condition is very good, especially considering the age, with the expected staining and wear from use.

A very interesting piece of German WWII memorabilia, ready to display!