Token 18 – DSWA – German South West Africa – 25 Pfennig Werth-Marke of the Hafen Hotel, Swakopmund, c. 1900–1915

Token 18 – DSWA – German South West Africa – 25 Pfennig Werth-Marke of the Hafen Hotel, Swakopmund, c. 1900–1915

Original brass Werth-Marke (trade token) of the Hafen Hotel in Swakopmund, German South West Africa.

The token bears “WERTH-MARKE 25” with the impressed inscription “Hafen Hotel Swakopmund” on one side and “25” on the reverse. Brass, approximately 24.3 mm in diameter.

The 25 Pfennig token formed part of a series of Hafen Hotel Werth-Marken in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 75, 150 and 300 Pfennig, used for commercial transactions at the hotel.

Catalogue: Gerd Opalka, Wertmarken-Katalog 5, Swakopmund 1.2.1. A scarce and historically interesting example of private hotel token currency from German South West Africa, reflecting the commercial life of Swakopmund during the German colonial period.