Lodz Getto; Litzmannstadt - Museum Gallery

World War Two German occupation of Lodz and the ghetto created by the Nazi Germans for a large population of Jews in that city. This is a typical COUNTERFEIT created in Poland or E. Europe during the 1960's. As the authentic issues became more completely described the counterfeiters (for collectors) became increasingly good at imitation. This is a later issue that is a good forgery. This one is distinguished by a prominent die crack on front of the "U" of 'Uber' on the banner across the 10 on the obverse. Other copies were cast; specialized books are needed to tell the counterfeits. Usually, these are in rather poor condition in aluminum and even much worse in 'elektron' (magnesium); So, excellent examples like this should be immediately suspect! These were given to use in the camp in place of the confiscated money; this was done to prevent blackmarketing. Among authentic pieces there are thick and thin varieties. This entry should be moved to 'Germany'. For a link to a page on other 'Concentration Camp Money' see:
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I contend that the well researched book that specializes in this series from the Lotz Ghetto, is correct in identifiying these as counterfeit. That book is: "Litzmannstadt ... A Chapter in German Monetary History", by Guy M.Y.Ph. Franquinet. The counterfeit 10 Mark pieces are described on page 80. The distinguishing feature of this fake are the sharp square dots over the 'U' in Uber and the die crack that runs next to that same 'U'.
The Lodz (Litzmannstadt) Ghetto was established as an industrial base to manufacture war supplies. The Nazis set up a Jewish council and appointed Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski to keep order. From 1942 to 1943, tokens were struck in the name of the Jewish Elders of Litzmannstadt, the name the Germans chose for the city to honor the German General Karl Litzmann, of WWI fame. These tokens were the only legal currency in the Lodz Ghetto. Used to buy what food and medicine they could, Jews traded their personal possessions for the tokens.