World War II

. A blue-colored paper note with pictures of fruit and an island beach on the front. The front reads “Japanese Government One Shilling” and on the reverse, the number 1. On the front in red are the letters “OC”. Measurements are approximately 5 7/16" x 2 5/8". On the back is handwriting "New 1944 Guinea" at the top and below "Rose Mary Shipman". The Japanese government-issued Oceanian Pound was one of several issues of Japanese invasion money used during World War II. Consisting of only four denominations, the Oceanian Pound was the shortest set (i.e., the total number of denominations) issued. Geographically, the region of Oceania comprises numerous islands across the vast South and Central Pacific, including New Zealand islands. Specific descriptions may or may not include Australia. Oceania has also been defined by island groupings: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. However, from a numismatic perspective (i.e., the issuance of Japanese invasion money), Oceania consisted of the occupied territories of Guam, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Caroline Islands, Marianas Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau, and the now defunct Territory of New Guinea. Although officially called “Oceania,” the region was considered a financial and currency union under Japanese colonial dominion that included several political jurisdictions rather than a single polity. Common among most issues of Japanese invasion money, the Oceania notes denote the issuer as “The Japanese Government” rather than the name of the region they were intended for. This is due to many of these notes having been printed ahead of time and designed to circulate in more than one country in a given region intended to be absorbed into the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. As a result, many of them are considered temporary issues. The Oceanian series can be identified in two ways: the image of a palm-lined beach depicted on all denominations and the “serial number” with two identifying letters printed on the obverse. The first letter, “O,” indicates the note was printed and issued for Oceania and is present on all Oceanian denominations. The second letter is the note's block (or printing batch). In August 1945, the Co-Prosperity Sphere was dissolved. The Oceanian pound was abolished shortly after, with the old currency replaced by the Australian pound or the US dollar, depending on the territory. From Wikipedia. This is from the B&D Collection. All reasonable offers will be considered. Please ask about payment options and delivery/shipping options.