Salary (Obergefreiter)

A reproduction set of Wehrmacht accounting notes (Verrechnungsscheine) used during World War II. German soldiers did not receive or use standard civilian currency while on duty. Instead, they were paid with special military-issued banknotes, redeemable in military canteens, post offices, or sent home.

This set represents the monthly salary of a soldier in the rank of Obergefreiter (corporal) and contains:

• 1× 50 Reichsmark
• 5× 10 Reichsmark
• 2× 5 Reichsmark
• 2× 1 Reichsmark
• 1x 50 Reichspfennig
• 4x 10 Reichspfennig
• 2x 5 Reichspfennig

Salaries in the Wehrmacht:

• Unteroffizier – 180 RM (140 RM base + 40 RM war allowance – Wehrsold)
• Obergefreiter – 113 RM (78 RM base + 35 RM Wehrsold)
• Gefreiter / Private – 35 RM (Wehrsold only)

Cost of living examples in wartime Germany:

• Mercedes 540K – 42,000 RMVolkswagen Beetle – 900 RM (later 990 RM)
• Cigarettes (12 Eckstein) – 3.33 RM
• Brothel visit – 2 RM
• Pelikan ink pen – 13.50 RM
• Men’s wristwatch – 10 RM
• Razor blade – 2.5 RM
• Bread (1 kg) – 35 Pfennig
• Pork (1 kg) – 1.60 RM
• Beer in a pub – 25 Pfennig
• Cheapest soldier's funeral – 200 RM (paid to the family)

An excellent addition for living history presentations, reenactment events, or field post displays.