Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Second World War Japanese Invasion Five (5) Cent Note

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1942 - 1945

Overview

A small rectangular light tan banknote with Dutch text surrounded by a blue stylised border that resembles a lace pattern. The number 5 (five) is in each corner at the top of the note. In the centre of the note is ‘De Japansche Regeering’ (a reference to the Japanese Government) followed by VIJF (5 cents) in darker print. Below this and to either side are the letters ‘SH’. At the bottom of the note is the letter ‘V’ and 7 symbols/characters. The back of the banknote is beige with a smaller but similar blue border. The number ‘5’ features in each corner of the border with a larger number ‘5’ in the centre.

Historical information

The Dutch East Indies was one of the territories of the Netherlands and included islands such as Java, Sumatra, parts of Borneo, the Moluccas and the ‘Lesser Sunda Islands’ until independence was achieved in December 1949. During the Second World War Japan invaded Java on 1 March 1942, two weeks after the fall of Singapore. Initially, Australian troops fought the Japanese on Java along with troops from Great Britain, the United States and the Netherlands until the British and the Americans withdrew.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2023.14.20

Item type

Currencies

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Ink

Paper

Width

100 mm

Height or length

48 mm

Inscriptions and markings

“DE / JAPANSCHE REGEERING / VIJF CENT / SH”

Contextual information

The Netherlands Indies were invaded on 1 March 1942, two weeks after the fall of Singapore. The Japanese Imperial Government issued paper banknotes, known as ‘invasion’ or ‘occupation’ money, replacing the local currency to the value of 1, 5 and 10 cents. Used as a form of economic, political and social control, it was in place until the defeat of the Japanese military in 1945. Much of it was burned by troops following orders to destroy both currency and bank records before their surrender.

Keywords

Second World War

Japanese Invasion Currency

Place made

Japan

Year

1942 - 1945

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity