Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve is the evening before the feast of All Saints Day of Western Christians. The celebration of Halloween dawns in the Samhain festival of the Celts of ancient Ireland and Britain. The date that corresponds to November 1 is known to be the end of summer and the beginning of winter. It is also the beginning of a new year. The Celts believed that on the eve of the new year, the line that divides the worlds of the dead and the living becomes faint. During the festival of Samhain, it is believed that the souls of the departed would come back to their homes. People set bonfires not only to keep themselves warm but also to scare away bad spirits. Masks were also worn to avoid being recognized by the spirits. Read along to learn about Halloween related banknotes.

All Saints Memorial W Flowers | Source: Wikimedia

Banknotes and Coins that Remind us of Halloween 

Halloween is associated with demons, fairies, witches, and other beings of that kind. This notgeld set that contains 5-100 pfennig notes shows witches dancing, cats, and demons on their reverse design. These emergency notes were issued in 1921 by the Municipality of Thale in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.  

Thale 5 – 100 Pfennig 6 Pieces Notgeld Set, 1921 | Source: Banknote World

Celts also believed that with otherworldly spirits around, Halloween is a perfect time for divination on health, relationships, and marriage matters. Techniques of foretelling the future and interpreting the secret significance of events include astrology, horoscopes, ouija board, and tarot cards.  

King of Pentacles: The Silver Tarot Coin Album | Source: Banknote World

This coin box includes a Mamluk silver dirham struck in the Mamluk territory. The Mamluk is an Islamic sultanate in Egypt, the Levant, and also Hejaz. The card deck from the Mamluk Sultanate is known to be the grandfather of Tarot cards and also Mamluk silver dirhams of this kind are said to be featured on the first Egyptian tarot decks. 

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