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The franc or Frank was the currency of Saarland between 1948 and 1957. It was at par with the French franc, French coins and banknotes circulated alongside local issues.

[edit] History

In 1947, banknotes were issued for Saar denominated in Mark, followed by coins denominated in Franken, dated 1954 and 1955.

After a referendum about the future status of the region, Saarland was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany as a Bundesland on 1 January 1957. The economic integration into the Federal Republic of Germany was completed with the withdrawal of all Saar-Franken. On June 29, 1959 the federal ordinance "Verordnung zur Einführung der Deutschen Mark im Saarland"^[1] stipulated that - with effect of 6 July (§ 1) - all debts, credits, deposits, wages, rents, fees, interest servicing, or amortisation payments, and other obligations, as well as cash reserves and prices denominated in Francs were to be converted at the rate of 100 Francs = 0.8507 Deutsche Mark (§ 2).^[2] The conversion had been preponed for half a year because of the accelerating depreciation of the French franc, towards which the Saar-Franken was at par. The freedom to fix new prices was maintained, however especially temporarily or permanently fixed obligations, not or only to be altered at fixed dates of expiration, were not to be renegotiated, but converted at the rate fixed.

[edit] Appearance

100 Saar franken coin

Pictures on coins of Saarland always depicted things related to the industry and mining in the region. Also the coat of arms of Saarland appears on every coin. Coins of 10,20 and 50 Frank depicted a factory and mining tower, with the coat of arms of Saarland in front of them. 100 Frank coins depicted a gearwheel with again the coat of arms of Saarland in front of it.

Banknotes were decorated with classical references to trade and wisdom.

[edit] External links

• Images of Saar mark notes
• A detailed list with all coins of Saarland

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Bundesgesetzblatt (BGBl., federal law gazette) I, p. 402
2. ^ The Federal Republic of Germany fixed that rate and converted older obligations denominated in Saar francs at this rate into Deutsche Mark. Cf. the federal act on compensations "Bundesgesetz zur Einführung des Bundesgesetzes zur Regelung der rückerstattungsrechtlichen Geldverbindlichkeiten des Deutschen Reichs und gleichgestellter Rechtsträger (Bundesrückerstattungsgesetz - BRüG) im Saarland", which - in its Art. II, No. 8 - mentions the official rate.