Collecting banknotes from German East Africa (Deutsch Ostafrika - DOA) is of particular interest to me (although I do collect some world banknotes also), not only because they are a window into the fascinating and complex history of this part of the world, before, during and after World War I, but also because they provide a very wide variety and scope to a collector. This means collecting DOA banknotes can really be an endeavor of a lifetime!

From beautiful, conventionally printed, peacetime pre-war banknotes (the striking image of the lions in the background here is in fact taken from one such note), to notes printed under constrained circumstances at the outbreak of WWI using a myriad of materials, to notes produced in jungles in the actual theater of war, these banknotes directly involve not just bank officials but also soldiers, coffee plantation owners, police officials, generals, native women & children, missionaries, askaris and many more. What a rich and interesting area to enjoy collecting in - like no other!

I have set up this website purely as a reference point with the aim of providing collectors as much detail & history about all aspects of DOA banknotes. I hope it is useful to some and inspires others to start collecting banknotes.

Please browse, enjoy, learn and of course repeat.