The cross over from coins to paper and bank notes in the 19th centuy upheld the illusion that paper honoured the redeeming coin value and could be cashed in at any time. If the illusion that money could be redeemed at any time vanishes, then the result would be a devaluation of money. A complete devaluation of money resulted in the great inflation after the First Word War (1914-18) and the German political system fell apart. Not only was the monetary system completely centralised, the cash exchange system was repealed and the last precious metal coins vanished from circulation. Paper bills are printed with all sorts of promises that they can't deliver: State notes and banknotes Emergency money in times of crisis The publisher's imprint, signatures Transfers, cheques Securities Credit cards E-commerce