© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>

WWII Japanese Occupation Notes

Burma

1942-1944 Issue

The Japanese invaded Burma in January 1942. They conquered Mandalay on 21 May, 1942 forcing the British to retreat into India. The Japanese held Burma until the second Allied campaign of 1944; although an official surrender did not take place until August 1945 In 1942 the Japanese issued paper script currency of 1, 5 and 10 cents and ½, ¼, 1, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees.

P10 - 5 Cents
Size: 99 x 48 mm

P12 - ¼ Rupee
Size: 106 x 51 mm

P13b - ½ Rupee
Front: Ananda Temple in Pagan at right
Size: 119 x 57 mm

P14 - 1 Rupee
Front: Ananda Temple in Pagan at right
Size: 138 x 66 mm

P15 - 5 Rupees
Front: Ananda Temple in Pagan at right
Size: 150 x 72 mm

P16 - 10 Rupees
Front: Ananda Temple in Pagan at right
Size: 162 x 77 mm

P17 - 100 Rupees
Front: Ananda Temple in Pagan at right
Size: 169 x 82 mm

Republik Islam Indonesia (Islamic Repulbic of Indonesia)

At the beginning of 1952 Lt. Col. Kahar Muzakkar, in charge of government operations against the rebellious Republic of the South Moluccas (RMS), placed himself under the orders of the Imam S. M. Kartosuwiryo as commander in South Sulawesi (Celebes). On 7 August 1953 he proclaimed Sulawesi and adjacent territories to be part of the Islamic State.

PS513 - 10 Gulden Note, 1953-1965 Provisional ND Gulden Issue
Front: Plate letter "S" prefix, banana tree at center, coconut palm at right, Dutch text at left, "DE JAPANSCHE REGEERING BETAALT AAN TOONDER" (The Japanese Government pays to the bearer)
Size: 159 x 76 mm

The note was originally an Japanese occupation note, 1942 ND Issue, printed for the Netherlands Indies, which is now Indonesia (P125c — See below). The note has an overprint on the back indicating "Islamic Republic of Indonesia Chairman, Provisional General Government, Islamic Republic of Indonesia, East Indonesia region (Usman Balo). Military governor, Islamic Republic of Indonesia, East Indonesia region (Kaha Muzakkar)

Malay

1942-1945 Issue

10 Cents
Size: 106 x 51 mm

P-M5 - 1 Dollar
Front: Breadfruit tree at left, coconut palm tree at right
Back: Denomination at center, left and right
Size: 140 x 67 mm

P-M6 - 5 Dollar
Front: Coconut palm tree at left, paw-paw tree at right
Back: Denomination at center, left and right
Size: 152 x 72 mm

P-M7 - 10 Dollar
Front: Coconut palm tree, banana plant, and paw-paw tree
Back: Palm trees and ocean with ship in distance at center, denomination at center, left and right
Size: 160 x 77 mm

P-M8b - 100 Dollars
Front: House and palm tree on the shore, red and blue silk thread embedded
Back: Man with two buffalo in a stream or river, denomination at left and right
Watermark: None
Size: 168 x 82 mm

P-M8x - 100 Dollars
Front: House and palm tree on the shore
Back: Man with two buffalo in a stream or river, denomination at left and right
Watermark: Curved lines
Size: 172 x 82 mm

Netherlands Indies

1942 ND Issue

P125c - 10 Gulden
Serial Number: SI Prefix
Front: Banana treee at center, coconut palm tree at right, Dutch text, "DE JAPANSCHE REGEERING BETAALT AAN TOONDER" (The Japanese Government pays to the bearer)
Back: Plam trees with steamer ship in the background
Size: 160 x 77 mm

Oceania

1942 ND Issue

P2 - 1 Shilling
Front: Breadfruit tree at left, palm trees on beach at right, red block letters "OC" at upper left and right
Back: Denomination
Size: 140 x 67 mm

Philippines

1943 ND Issue

P103 - 5 Centavos
Front: Banana plants
Size: 120 x 58 mm

P110 - 5 Peso
Serial Number: 0069879
Front: Rizal Monument at left
Watermark: Banana tree
Size: 160 x 68 mm

The Rizal Monument is a monument near the west end of Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, built to commemorate the Filipino nationalist, Jose Rizal. The monument consists of an obelisk set upon a pedestal, with a bronze sculpture at the base of the obelisk. It is located near the site where Rizal was executed on December 30, 1896.

P111 - 10 Peso
Replacement Note
Serial Number: 1016301
Front: Rizal Monument at right
Watermark: Banana tree
Size: 160 x 68 mm

P112 - 100 Peso
Serial Number: 0533257
Front: Rizal Monument at right
Watermark: Banana tree
Size: 161 x 69 mm