1 Shilling Brisbane; U.S. Navy Officers' Mess

U.S. military messes in Australia operated their own scrip systems during the war years partly to sidestep the awkward exchange mechanics between American pay rates and Australian currency — American servicemen were paid considerably more than their Australian counterparts, and the disparity created real social friction. Confining transactions to internal scrip was a partial administrative solution.

Brisbane hosted a significant U.S. command presence from late 1942, including MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Area headquarters. Officers' mess scrip of this type was redeemable only within the issuing establishment and had no legal tender status under either jurisdiction.