From the city of Gotha in central Germany comes this wonderful piece of large size, high denomination ( 500 mark ) notgeld featuring none other than the town's abbot & later Archbishop, Gotthard von Hersfeld ( born 960 and died May 4, 1038 - canonized 1131 ). He played an important role in the imperial campaign to reform and reorganize the Bavarian church.

His work so impressed the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II that Hersfeld was appointed to work with many monasteries.

This area became the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Albert, the second son of Ernest married Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1840. The note is printed in red & black with an embossed seal beneath the Archbishop, all in very circulated condition.