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1 Dollar
| Issuer | Japanese Government |
|---|---|
| Year | 1942 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | The obverse is dominated by a central oval vignette bearing a large numeral '1' flanked by two symmetrical guilloche medallions, also enclosing the numeral '1', set against a fine lathe-work underprint. Tropical foliage and fruit-laden palm trees frame the left and right margins in letterpress relief. The upper centre carries the legend 'THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT' in bold serif capitals, beneath which appears the promise clause 'PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND' and the denomination panel 'ONE DOLLAR'; Japanese characters appear along the lower border, with the serial number printed in two positions. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is executed entirely in intricate guilloche lathe-work, with a large central rectangular panel enclosing a bold numeral '1' surrounded by concentric bands of fine engine-turned patterns. Four corner ornaments repeat the numeral '1' within elaborate rosette frames, and scrollwork borders fill the remaining field, giving the design a dense, uniform geometric character with no figurative imagery. |
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| Comments |
This is one of the Military Administration Currency notes issued by Japan for use in occupied Malaya following the February 1942 fall of Singapore. The Japanese government printed these notes in Tokyo before the campaign even concluded — a logistical confidence that proved warranted. They replaced the Straits Settlements Dollar at par, though the local population quickly dubbed them "banana money," a reference to the banana tree motif that appeared on higher denominations.
Rampant overprinting throughout the occupation triggered severe inflation. By 1945 the currency had collapsed almost entirely, and redemption after liberation was refused — the notes became worthless overnight when the war ended.