Antique WWII Japanese Occupation Philippines 50 Centavos Banknote PI Block 1942

Japanese Government occupation currency, Philippines 50 Centavos — "The Japanese Government Fifty Centavos," PI block, issued 1942, circulated example

Japanese Occupation, Philippines; issued 1942

A second example of the Japanese military occupation 50 Centavos note for the Philippines, more heavily circulated than the first. The face reads THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT / FIFTY CENTAVOS with PI block designation in red and the tropical plantation vignette at right. The heavy wear on this example is consistent with active circulation through the Philippine wartime economy — occupation notes of this type passed through many hands across the islands between 1942 and the American return in 1944–1945, and heavily worn examples carry their own historical character as objects that were actually used rather than hoarded.

• Denomination: 50 Centavos
• Issuer: The Japanese Government, Philippine Islands occupation
• Block: PI (Philippines)
• Date: 1942
• Size: 145 × 72 mm
• Condition: Heavily circulated: wear, soiling, fold lines, and edge fraying at corners. Legible throughout. Please see photos for details.