Line Outside of a Berlin Grocer (1923) As hyperinflation crippled the economy, the living circumstances of large segments of the German population grew increasingly dire. By the autumn of 1923, price escalations had rendered Germany's hard currency worthless. People stood in long lines and bought goods as quickly as they could since their money was losing value by the hour. Unable to keep pace with inflation, many grocers and merchants switched to foreign currency or simply bartered.