europe: ...German Democratic Republic - 1949-1990 - Foreign Exchange Certificates 1979

Deutsche Demokratische Republik

(German Democratic Republic 1949-1990)

(East Germany)

Staatsbank der Deutsche Demokratische Republik

(State Bank of Germany Democratic Republic)

Currency - Mark (DDM)

Here are four notes issued by the Forum Außenhandelsgesellschaft m.b.H. (Forum Foreign Trade Company m.b.H.), and all notes are dated 1979. A complete set consists of 50 pfennig, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 marks. The value of these Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) or Forum Cheques were issued at par with the West German mark, and to enable foreigners to purchase high quality goods at specific shops (Intershops) controlled by the East Germany government. These high quality goods are usually from or associated with Western countries, and these Intershops only accept the Forum Cheques as payments and not the East German mark.

The Forum Cheques were issued by the Forum Foreign Trade Company m.b.H., a subsidiary of the Commercial Coordination Department of the East Germany Foreign Trade Ministry founded in 1976. These cheques were treated just like money or West Germany marks but with restricted use. The Forum cheques were not transferable nor were they refundable. For any purchases, any changes will also be in the form of a Forum Cheque or in the forms of small goods like chocolate bars or lollipops, depending on the amount. The translation on the note is referred to as a cheque or Forum Cheque. These Forum Cheques were reportedly first issued on 16.04.1979.

The Intershops were founded in 1962 and its main purpose was to allow the flow of foreign hard currencies into the East Germany economy. Initially, these Intershops were out of reach for the East Germans but in 1974, the government relaxed the rule, and allowed its citizens to shop at these special shops. By 1978, there were about 100 Intershops in the country and employed up to 900 employees. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall on 09.11.1989, these Forum Cheques can be converted back to West German mark until 31.05.1990. They then became non-legal tender at the Intershops on 30.06.1990. On 03.10.1990, these Intershops were dissolved following the unification of East and West Germany as one nation.

Like all East German banknotes, there are no signatures printed on them, and these Forum Cheques have no watermark either.

Each Forum Cheque are printed with the following German test (for the 50 pfennig): -

Front

Forum Außenhandelsgesellschaft m.b.H.

Scheck über
FüNFZIG PFENNIG
zum Erwerb von Waren

Der Scheck ist vorgesehen für die Verrechnung
in Einrichtungen der "Forum" Außenhandels"
gesellschaft m.b.H.

In English Google Translation

Forum Foreign Trade Company m.b.H.

Check over

FIFTY PENNIES

to purchase goods

The check is intended for clearing

in facilities of the “Forum “Foreign Trade”

gesellschaft m.b.H.

Back

Der Scheck
ist nicht rücktauschbar
und nicht übertragbar

English

The cheque

is not returnable

and not transferable

I believe what I have posted here were the reminders of the unissued Forum Cheques. If not, imagine the missed opportunity to cash them back to the West German marks for the value like the 500 marks.

Fifty Pfennig