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 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,601 |
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
I was told these are from when Japan invaded the Philippines during WW2. I'm leary as they dont have serial numbers and seem a bit simple. Any help would be great.  |
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Valued Member
United States
392 Posts |
Hey Bill. The history of the Philippines includes a lengthy period under U.S. management. As soon as the Japanese over ran the islands, they set about trying to erase any mention of the United States which was quite conspicuous on stamps, coins and currency. They confiscated and destroyed all currency which states "United States of America - Philippines." As quickly as possible they replaced that currency with examples like yours. They were very simple and inexpensively made by the millions. My hunch is that yours is an original note in nice condition. Such notes are plentiful and of little monetary value. Hence, it's unlikely that anyone would go to the trouble of counterfeiting them. I think your specimen is way cool. It certainly is an historic marker from a time of chaos. Ultimately, your note was rendered "worthless" when MacArthur kept his word and did, indeed, "return" to re-claim the island. Jack
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New Member
 United States
22 Posts |
Awesome information! Thanks for the post.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Arlie Slaubach wrote a small book on Japanese Invasion Money.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
742 Posts |
The Japanese did not confiscate and destroy pre-war Commonwealth pesos or US currency in the Philippines. In fact, if you read the proclamations from General Homma declaring the Japanese Military Peso as legal tender you will see that the pre-war Commonwealth peso and the US dollar remained legal tender in the Philippines during the occupation. The pre-war Commonwealth peso notes ceased being legal tender upon the introduction of the Victory series in 1944 after the Allied Leyte landings.
The Japanese certainly did not destroy any currency that got into their hands. They impounded what little US currency was not removed from the Philippine banks by the US as they retreated. The US destroyed the stocks of US currency and pre-war Commonwealth pesos to keep them from the Japanese. The gold was spirited out by submarine. What silver could not be removed was dumped into Manila Bay. The Japanese (and Germans) wanted US currency to use in international trade through their contacts in Switzerland, Portugal and other neutral countries.
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Valued Member
United States
392 Posts |
One quick additional thought: You were concerned that your note didn't have a serial number. These notes used series lettering instead and the designation "PE" denotes the series of the note. I am (now  ) quite sure someone else on the forum can tell you exactly what dates the "PE" series was printed. Nice note to add to your collection. Good job! Jack |
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New Member
5 Posts |
Japs printed paper money without serials numbers in the later years of WW2.
The prefix letters indicate which territory they invaded. M for Malaya, B for Burma, O for Oceania/Australia, P for the Philippines, S for the Netherlands Indies (which is now Indonesia).
For Malaya, the Japs invaded from the north of the Malay peninsular on 8 Dec 1941 and took Singapore in Feb 1942.
The initial batch of notes did have serial numbers with prefix MA and MB but after than there we no serial numbers at all. Same of the Philippines.
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
Not sure if true, but I read that these particular notes, the ones with no designation letters, were printed in vast quantities and stored in warehouse type setups. Then when needed, they would run them through with the designated letters in a different colored ink.
After the invasion, these warehouses were raided and those notes were never technically issued. I think most were destroyed, so you have a nice piece.
Most you see show a hole(s) punched, redeemed stamps, burn marks, signs of massive circulation or tears. Many times any or all of those flaws.
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
Oops, nevermind. I didn't see the PE in picture, I change my mind to Issued and stored away. Makes it still a very nice piece.
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Hello. I'm a collector of US-Philippine banknotes, and I'd like to ask lettow:
1. Could you please pass on
your sources for your response above? I am very interested in that topic.
2. I am currently trying to locate a list(s) of the serial number and
denominations of US-Philippine banknotes that were destroyed on Corregidor
by US and Philippine forces in 1942, and would like to find out if you have
any knowledge of this matter. I am currently trying to find out if the National
Archives has this list(s), if it exists.
Thank you.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,601 |
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Posted 08/18/2015 12:29 am
