German GARMISCH 5 Pfennig Coin 1917 BN Text GÜLTIG BIS 6 MONAT NACH

German emergency coin (Notgeld) issued by the Market Town of Garmisch (Bavaria) from 1917

5 Pfennig

made of Zinc and still shows some of the nickel plating

• "GILTIG BIS 6 MONAT NACH FRIEDENSSCHLUSS"
• Translation: "Valid until 6 months after the conclusion of peace."

Because the German Empire faced severe metal shortages during World War I, local municipalities like Garmisch were allowed to mint their own minor coinage from cheap alternative materials (in this case, zinc). They were legally required to phase them out once the war ended and a formal peace treaty was signed.