World War II Currency of Conflict

This is the second part of my three part series detailing the World War II artifacts, stamps, coins, and banknotes in my collection. You can read Part I here which deals with artifacts, stamps, and coins. Part III focuses on the camp currency of Theresienstadt and Allied Military Currencies.

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II (Sept. 2, 2015) , I wanted to share my WWII collection. As the number of living witnesses to the horrors of the war and to the ultimate victory of liberty over tyranny decline, the importance of having physical artifacts grows. Through these pieces of paper, which also managed to survive years of war and the decades that followed, we can learn about the realities of the history, politics, economics, and even the crimes against humanity that occurred.

Imperial Japan

This post focuses on some of Japan's occupied territories: Burma, Dutch East Indies, the Philippines, and Malaya. The third and final post will exhibit currency printed at the Theresienstadt concentration camp as well as victory currency issued by the Allies in Germany and Japan.

As Japan conquered new territories they needed to incorporate them into the overall economy (besides just looting and exploiting). This led to the creation of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere," a concept similar to what Germany had envisioned for Europe under Nazi hegemony.

Members of the Sphere included Japan, Manchukuo (Manchuria-China), Mengjiang (Inner Mongolia-China), the Reorganized National Government of China, Burma, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, "Free India", and Thailand. Additionally, the Dutch East Indies (mostly today's Indonesia), Malay states, and a few smaller locales had their economies usurped and had new occupation currencies imposed on them. By March 1945, the Southern Development Bank, which issued the currencies, had an outstanding balance of more than 13 billion, an immense sum.

Burmese Notes

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These are notes used in Burma (Myanmar). The notes were issued from 1942 to 1944. They are the 1/4 Rupee (1942 Pick #12), 1/2 Rupee ( Pick #13b), 5 Rupees (Pick #15), 10 Rupees (Pick #16b), and 100 Rupees (Pick #17b).

Here's the reverse side of the notes

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Dutch East Indies Notes

Issued from 1942 to 1945, the Japanese-issued "gulden" banknotes were 1, 5, and 10 cents as well as 1/2, 1, 5, and 10 gulden (first issued in 1942). There was also a second issue of 1/2, 1, 5, 10, and 100 "roepiah" (first issued in 1944). By the end of 1944, there were nearly 2 billion gulden in circulation. This led to inflationary problems and the issuance of the roepiah, which was also depreciated.

For my own collection, I currently only have guldens.

I have the 5 cent note (Pick #120c), 1/2 gulden (Pick #122b), and the 10 gulden (Pick #125c).

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Here's the reverse side

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Philippine Notes

As with Japan's other conquered territories, the occupation forces issued new currency for the Philippines. Locals often referred to the money as "Micky Mouse Money". This term belies the economic reality that when Japan overran American forces and took the country, they confiscated millions in American currency (which was backed by gold) as well as bullion to use in their war efforts. In turn, Japan issued these "Micky Mouse" notes - fiat currency that was backed by nothing but force.

The 1942 issue had notes ranging in denomination from 1 centavo to 10 pesos. As inflation began to worsen, Japan reissued notes between 1943 and 1945 that had denominations of 1 peso to 1,000 pesos.

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These four notes are: a 1942 issue 10 pesos (Pick #108a) followed by a 1943 issue 10 pesos (Pick #111). There's also a 1944 issue 100 pesos (Pick #112) and a 1945 issue 1,000 pesos (Pick #115c).

Here's the reverse side of the notes.

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During the occupation, the Philippines saw many guerrilla groups and uprisings. Local areas would issue their own "emergency currency" backed by the government-in-exile. Though these notes were illegal in the eyes of the occupying authorities, millions of notes from multiple areas were printed. These were largely basic in design and used low-quality paper, meaning much of the existing notes today are in poor condition. Additional information can be found here.

Below are three of the smaller notes produced. The first is a 50 centavos note from 1944 (Pick #S522a), issued by the Mindanao Emergency Currency Board. The second note is a 1 peso note, also from 1944, (Pick #S668a) and was issued by the Negros ECB. Finally, there's a 1 peso note issued in 1943 (Pick #S139b) that was issued by the Bohol ECB.

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Reverse side

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This is a 50 centavo note from 1942 (Pick #S576c). It was issued by the Misamis Occidental Agency of the Philippines.

Here is a 1942 5 pesos note issued by the Bohol ECB (Pick #S136d). The signatures on the reverse side are common to this note and may have been a way to deter counterfeiting.

I have another 5 pesos note, this time issued by the Negros ECB. It was issued in 1944 (Pick #S674).

Lastly, for the Philippines, I have a 2 pesos issued in 1942 by the Negros ECB (Pick #S647a) and a 10 pesos note, also from 1942 but issued by the Mindanao ECB. I'd like to mention that during World War II, Mindanao was the site of an important battle involving tens of thousands of soldiers and was key to the liberation of the country in 1945.

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Malaya Notes

Occupation currency was issued for Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, and Brunei from 1942 to 1945. In part due to the fact that many notes lacked serial numbers, and because local officials would simply print more money whenever they needed it, inflation took off in 1944 requiring the introduction of 100 and 1,000 'dollar' notes. The total denomination range was 1, 5, 10, and 50 cent note and 1, 5, 10, 100, and 1,000 dollar notes. Unlike many of the notes produced in other areas, the Malaya dollars weren't simply copied off a press and they have a feel similar to that of American currency - with raised ink.

The 50 cents (Pick #M46), 1 dollar (Pick #M5c), and the 10 dollar note (Pick #M7b) were issued in 1942.

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I also have the 100 dollar note (Pick #M8c). I think this is one of the more aesthetically pleasing invasion notes issued by Japanese authorities in any of their territories.

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--Jacob Bogle, 7/27/16

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