World War II Banknotes

During the Second World War, the local authority in Meulebecke in Belgium issued ration coupons. They were issued in June 1940 and printed simply locally. This set comprises 5 values from the 1 frank to 10 franks. They are in Uncirculated condition, unissued awaiting the rubber stamp of the Burgermeister. These sets are rare. The first realised 300 Euros in a Belgian auction but due to our determined haggling with the dealer who owned them, we can offer them for much less! Scarce World War Two Ration Coupons.

A scarce set of notes issued by the local authorities in Meulebeke, Belgium during World War II. The denominations are 1f, 5f, 10f and 20f and they are dated 11-6-1940. Each has the rubber stamp of the City on the back, when they were used they rubber stamped the name of the Burgemeester. They also have a pin hole in the centre which is from the spindle where they were put when redeemed. Without the signature and pin hole they were not valid. One set sold at an auction in Belgium recently for EUR300 (around £260). We had never seen them before but we managed to buy a small quantity of these notes recently and are able to offer them to our customers at a huge saving. They are very interesting notes and quite attractive given the circumstances under which they were printed. Get yours while stocks last.

During the Second World War the Bank of England was concerned that the currency could be counterfeited. To thwart counterfeiters it was decided to change the colour of the £1 note from the traditional green to blue pink Perhaps the most significant change was the introduction of an embedded security thread in the body of the note. We regard this feature as standard today but then it was considered revolutionary. The bank ditched the new colours once the war was over reverting to the traditional green. The new security feature was retained. This is a classic note which any Bank of England collection should include. It is important because it was the first note to contain an embedded metal security thread. Available in AU/Unc. Image of note is a representative item from stock and will not necessarily be the actual item supplied.

A revolutionary note which was the first to include the embedded metal security thread. Signed by K.O. Peppiatt as Chief Cashier.

A revolutionary note which was the first to include the embedded metal security thread. Signed by K.O. Peppiatt as Chief Cashier.

A revolutionary note which was the first to include the embedded metal security thread. Signed by K.O. Peppiatt as Chief Cashier.

A revolutionary note which was the first to include the embedded metal security thread. Signed by K.O. Peppiatt as Chief Cashier.

During the Second World War, Croatia was under German Occupation. Notes were issued for the duration and this 1000 kuna note is from that series (P4) It is dated 1941 and is available in Very Fine- Good Very Fine condition. It’s densely engraved with a young girl to the left. Security features include thick fibres scattered randomly.

France has long been known for producing exquisite banknotes This 50 francs, dated 1941, is no exception(P93) The front features a portrait of Jacques Coeur, a fabulously successful 15th century merchant. He represented France in three embassies alongside other roles such as Master of the Mint. His surname, translated from the French means heart so there is a heart shaped watermark area to the right of his portrait. We are delighted to offer this charming Jacques Coeur 50 francs in Crisp AU/ Uncirculated condition.

Greece 1000 drachma 1942 P118 Slub olive and grey Young girl at centre/ Lion statue. Gef Unc

We have a limited supply of these 25,000 drachma notes dated 1943 in Uncirculated condition (P123) They were issued during the privations of war but like all issues from this period, reference the glories of Ancient Greece in their design. The front has a portrait of the Nymph Deidamia while the back features the ruins of the Olympian Temple of Zeus in the centre of Athens. Crisp Uncirculated.

No, this is not about sports equipment! This is the 5000 drachma note issued by Greece in 1942 when it was under German Occupation (P119) Despite the privations of war, Greece still managed to issue impressively illustrated notes which reflected its considerable heritage. On this 5000 drachma, the statue of Nike at Samothrace dominates the front with workers to the left and right. On the back, a famer sowing seeds. Available in VF and GEF/Unc.

Crisp note issued during the Second World War in Greece. Its design draws on Greece’s ancient history.The 5000 drachma dated 1943 (P122) features a portrait of Athena on the front with a detail of a sculpted equestrian relief on the back. Uncirculated.

These 1000 drachma notes are dated 1939, that’s 2 years before Greece was occupied by the Axis powers in 1941 during the Second World War. It was the largest denomination at the time and, during the war, Greece suffered terribly from runaway inflation. The front of the note features a young woman in national dress. The back has a portrait of Athena to the left with an imposing illustration of The Parthenon which even today dominates the Athens skyline. (P110)

No, this is not about sports equipment! This is the 5000 drachma issued by Greece in 1942 when it was under German Occupation. Despite the privations of war, Greece still managed to issue impressively illustrated notes which reflected its considerable heritage. On this 5000 drachma the statue of Nike at Samothrace dominates the front with workers to the left and right. On the back is a farmer sowing seeds. Crisp GEF/Unc

The Channel Islands were the only part of British territory occupied by the Germans in World War II. The local residents in Guernsey wanted to issue small denomination notes for change as all-metal coins had long disappeared from circulation. The Germans only allowed these small notes to be issued if the locals put up the equivalent in English Pounds. A total of 5000 £1 notes were taken from the vaults and overprinted 'Withdrawn from Circulation' so they could not be used by anyone, not even their German occupiers! A number of different types were taken from the bank that day but the ones we have on offer now are the Peppiatt pre-War issue of which there were a total of 1,885 surviving (B239A). All the serial numbers in the hoard which came to light over 20 years ago have been recorded and they are scarce. Very limited availability and an important part of our numismatic history.

The Channel Islands were the only part of British territory occupied by the Germans in World War II. The local residents in Guernsey wanted to issue small denomination notes for change as all metal coins had long disappeared from circulation. The Germans only allowed these small notes to be issued if the locals put up the equivalent in English Pounds. A total of 5000 £1 notes were taken from the vaults and overprinted 'Withdrawn from Circulation' so they could not be used by anyone, not even their German occupiers! A number of different types were taken from the bank that day but the ones we have on offer now are the Peppiatt pre-War issue of which there were a total of 1,885 surviving (B239A). All the serial numbers in the hoard which came to light over 20 years ago have been recorded and they are scarce. Very limited availability and an important part of our numismatic history.

This Indian banknote is a real treasure from World War II. A German bombing raid on Scotland led to the ship they were on sinking. The Bank of England had printed the watermarked paper for King George VI banknotes of India. The paper would be overprinted in India and used as money. The watermark shows the portrait of King George VI with the words ‘Reserve Bank of India’ and the denomination ‘Ten Rupees’. These banknote sheets were on the treasure ship for more than 50+ years. We bought the treasure ship that contained all the sheets. There was a great write up in IBNS Journal a few years back. We have had them cut into collectable sheets of four notes, which is a great size for display. Hold a light behind the sheet to see it in all its glory. India, World War II and treasure, what more could you want? We have seen the uncut sheet of 4 Indian banknotes bring £60-£65 each at auction. They probably bought them from us and then put them into auction... You can have them at our price and not the auction price.

Italy 1 lira 1944 P29 Tiny Pink brown on cream/ Cameo portrait at lUnc

Malaya Japanese Occupation 1 dollar nd (1942) PM5 Black. Fruit branches at l and r/ Blue simple design Unc

When the Japanese invaded countries during World War 2 they introduced a new currency denominated according to the usual currency of the country but with the heading The Japanese Government. In the case of Malaya the notes produced were in dollars and were fairly simple affairs. These 5 dollars, issued during the occupation of Malaya have a simple illustration of breadfruit trees on the front and a design on the back.(PM6) Our examples grade AU.