1 Piastre Alexandria Internment Camp

Issued by British military authorities to control spending within the civilian internment facilities established around Alexandria during World War One, these camp vouchers circulated as a closed currency — redeemable only within the camp canteen system and worthless outside the wire. The practical purpose was straightforward: prevent internees from accumulating spendable cash that could fund escape attempts or bribery.

Alexandria held a mixed population of enemy aliens, primarily Ottoman and German nationals, caught in Egypt when hostilities began. The date range extending to 1921 reflects how long some internees remained held after the Armistice, awaiting repatriation under postwar administrative arrangements that moved slowly.

Paper camp currency from this region and period survives in very small numbers — most was deliberately voided or destroyed upon camp closure.