Germany issued this set of Germania definitives beginning in January 1920.

Due to variations in the printing process, minor variations in color and quality appeared in subsequent printings of most issues. The major quality variations (Types I and II) can be differentiated by the clarity of the cross at top of the crown, and the alignment of the denominations and “DEUTSCHES REICH” text.

For varieties of MiNr. 148 and 151 with waffle watermark, see the 1922 Germania Issues. Additionally, MiNr. 151 & 152 can be found with a quatrefoil watermark.

In November 1921, a counterfeit of the 60 Pf. value from the January 1920 / April 1921 Germania series came into circulation in Köln (Cologne). It was produced in large numbers, but was quickly recognized as a forgery by postal authorities. Reports from the time stated that approximately 90,000 were confiscated from the counterfeiters, but not before a small number had been used on actual mail. A small number of the sheets were subsequently broken-up for sale to collectors. The forgery is a poor-quality lithographic printing, printed in 10x10 sheets, with row value markings along the sheet edges as with the original sheets. The paper is of inferior quality, and is cloudy with a visible mesh and no watermark, unlike the originals. The stamps are perforated L 13, unlike the originals, which were perforated K 14:14¼. There are also noticable differences in the Germania design due to the poor overall quality of the forgery.