German Democratic Republic Mark banknotes

The banknotes of the German Democratic Republic formed the paper currency of East Germany from post-war division until monetary union in 1990. Following the monetary split of Germany in 1948, East German paper currency was initially managed by the Deutsche Notenbank, before the issuing institution was renamed the Staatsbank der DDR following constitutional revisions in the late 1960s. The currency was subdivided into 100 pfennigs and shifted through multiple formal titles, being designated successively as the Deutsche Mark von der Deutschen Notenbank, the Mark der Deutschen Notenbank, and ultimately the Mark der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, or Mark der DDR.

The paper currency originated in June 1948 in the Soviet occupation zone as an emergency measure, when official district workers applied adhesive coupons to existing Reichsmark and Rentenmark notes to permit legitimate exchange. A newly printed banknote series was issued shortly afterwards on 24 July 1948. Successive banknote issues served the country through its subsequent monetary reforms, including denominations such as the 50 and 100 Mark notes used in the 1980s. The circulation of these banknotes concluded on 1 July 1990, when East Germany adopted the West German Deutsche Mark under a currency union preceding formal reunification.

Successive series of East German banknotes are distinguished by their issuing authority titles and portrait subjects. Later series depict portraits of historical figures across the obverse, accompanied by reverse designs showing agricultural and industrial motifs. Earlier printings bear the authority of the Deutsche Notenbank and reference the Deutsche Mark or Mark der Deutschen Notenbank, whereas later printings bear the name of the Staatsbank der DDR and display the title Mark der DDR, reflecting the state's constitutional shift towards distinct East German socialist nomenclature.