20 Mark, German Central Bank, German Democratic Republic, 1964 (Pick 24)

This 20 Mark note was issued in German Democratic Republic by the German Central Bank, dated 1964. It belongs to the Mark (1948-1990) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Democratic Republic (1949-1990). It measures 145 × 70 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 24.

Obverse: Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to the right. Its lettering reads “BANKNOTE / 20 / ZWANZIG / MARK / DER / DEUTSCHEN NOTENBANK / DDR / BERLIN 1964 / 20 / JOHANN WOLFGANG v. GOETHE”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Banknote Twenty marks of the German Central Bank GDR”. Reverse: National Theatre in Weimar. Its lettering reads “NATIONAL-THEATER, WEIMAR / ZWANZIG MARK / WER BANKNOTEN NACHMACHT ODER VERFÄLSCHT ODER NACHGEMACHTE ODER VERFÄLSCHTE SICH VERSCHAFFT UND IN VERKEHR BRINGT, WIRD BESTRAFT”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Theatre, Weimar. Twenty marks Whoever counterfeits or falsifies banknotes or obtains and puts into circulation counterfeit or falsified banknotes will be punished.”.

Demonetized: 1975. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.