Buchenwald Standort-Kantine concentration camp scrip, .50 Reichsmark, found by a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 3.000 inches (7.62 cm) | Width: 4.125 inches (10.477 cm)
Archival History
The scrip was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016 by Beth Joshua Congregation, which received them from Joshua Scharff, the son of Leon Scharff.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Beth Joshua Congregation of Aspen Hill
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
.50 Reichsmark coupon found at Buchenwald concentration camp following liberation by Lt. Leon Scharff, US Army Signal Corps, who was among the first wave of American troops to enter the camp. Buchenwald opened on July 19, 1937. The undated, simply designed notes were issued in 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mark denominations. There were two types: canteen scrip and exchange scrip issued to members of outside labor brigades [Aussenkommandos.] In early April 1945, as US forces approached Buchenwald, near Weimar, Germany, the German guards began to evacuate the camp. On April 11, the prisoners revolted and seized control. Later that day, soldiers from the Sixth Army Armored Division, part of the Third Army, arrived in camp and discovered more than 21,000 starved and ill inmates.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, light brown paper coupon with a rectangular, pale green floral background motif with scalloped edges and a narrow, blank border printed on the front. German text, the denomination .50, a serial number, and an asterisk are printed in black ink over the floral design.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Germany--Weimar (Thuringia)--Personal narratives, American.
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
Genre
- Exchange Media
- Object