German ostrubel

File:Reverse 3ostrubles 1916.jpg

Reverse side of a banknote, 1916

File:2 Kopeken 1916 Ober Ost FH.jpg

A 1916 2-copeck coin, reading /

Ostrubel (German and Polish: ; Latvian and Lithuanian: ; Template:Langx) is the name given to a currency denominated in copecks and rubels, which was issued by Germany in 1916 for use in the eastern areas under German occupation ( and the Government General of Warsaw). It was initially equal to the Imperial rouble. The reason for the issue was a shortage of currency. The banknotes were produced by the in (now ) on 17 April 1916.

From 4 April 1916, the circulated alongside the in the area, with = 1 . In the Government General of Warsaw the was replaced by the Polish on 14 April 1917.

Denominations

The banknote denominations available were:

• 20 copecks;
• 50 copecks;
• 1 rubel;
• 3 rubels;
• 10 rubels;
• 25 rubels;
• 100 rubels.

The front sides of the banknotes carry a warning in German against forging banknotes. On the reverse sides is the same warning in Latvian (with old style orthography), Lithuanian and Polish.

There were also 1 copeck, 2 copeck and 3 copeck coins, made out of iron.

Aftermath

The circulated in Lithuania together with the Ostmark until 1 October 1922, when it was replaced by the .

It was also still in use in a part of the Second Polish Republic during the first months of independence, until 29 April 1920.

Bibliography

• Template:In lang
• N. Jakimovs and V. Marcilger, The Postal and Monetary History of Latvia 1918–1945, own book, 1991, pp. 14-13–14-15.

External links

• German banknotes, a.o. Ostrubles and Ostmarks.