1918 AD., Germany, 2nd Empire, Erfurt (city), Notgeld, currency issue, 50 Pfennig, Grabowski E22.2. 575448 Obverse

State: Germany, 2nd Empire
Issuer: Erfurt (city) (PrS / Th) Stadt
Location of issue: Erfurt (city)
Date of issue: 20.10.1918 AD.,
Value: 50 Pfennig
Size: 85 x 53 mm
Material: paper
Watermark: Stern-Sechseckmuster
Serial : -
Serial no. : 575448 ( 6 digits )
Signature: (1)
Printer: Ohlenroth. Erfurt
Obv.: / / / …. , saint Martin on horseback left, dividing mantle, beggar at feet, St. Martin's Day procession, people with lanterns behind.
Rev.: / / / …. , text above arms.
References: Grabowski E22.2 ; Tieste 1755.105.05 .

Saint Martin's Day, also known as the Funeral of Saint Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas, as well as Old Halloween and Old Hallowmas Eve, is the Funeral day of Saint Martin of Tours (else Martin le Miséricordieux) and is celebrated on 11 November each year. The feast was widely seen as the preferred time for the butchering of "Martinmas beef" from prime, fattened cattle, geese, other livestock and the ending of the toil of autumn wheat seeding (sowing). Hiring fairs were more abundant than usual, where farm laborers could choose, or others had, to seek new posts.
Saint Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who was baptised as an adult and became a bishop in a French town. The most notable of his saintly acts was he had cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save him from the cold as then that night, he dreamt of Jesus, wearing the half-cloak and saying to the angels, "here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is now baptised; he has clothed me." Saint Martin died on November 8, 397, and was buried three days later.

In Germany the nights before and on the eve itself, children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing Martin songs. Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed like St. Martin accompanies the children. When they reach the square, Martin's bonfire is lit and Martin's pretzels are distributed.[6]
The origin of the procession of lanterns is unclear. To some, it is a substitute for the St. Martin bonfire, which is still lit in a few cities and villages throughout Europe. It formerly symbolized the light that holiness brings to the darkness, just as St. Martin brought hope to the poor through his good deeds. Even though the tradition of the large, crackling fire is gradually being lost, the procession of lanterns is still practiced.
More on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin's_Day

Der Heilige Martin ist der Patron der Stadt Mainz, des Mainzer Doms und des Bistums Mainz, deren Erzbischof formal Stadtherr war. So wurde der Patron auch auf Erfurt selbst übertragen.
More on https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Römer_(Erfurt)