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10 Centesimi Asinara
| Issuer | Campo di Concentramento Prigionieri di Guerra, Asinara |
|---|---|
| Year | 1915-1918 |
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| Value | 10 Centesimi (0.10 ITL) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | CAMPO DI CONCENTRAMENTO PRIGIONIERI DI GUERRA ASINARA BUONO PER CENTESIMI DIECI VALEVOLE SOLO PRESSO LE VIVANDERIE DEL CAMPO DI CONCENTRAMENTO IL COMANDANTE DEL CAMPO DI CONCENTRAMENTO |
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| Protection description | Blind-embossed dry seal of the Savoy royal arms applied on both obverse and reverse as an anti-counterfeiting measure |
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| Comments |
Asinara, a small island off the northwestern tip of Sardinia, served as one of Italy's principal prisoner-of-war camps during the First World War. The camp's internal currency was a practical necessity — standard Italian lire were banned from circulation among prisoners to prevent bribery, escape financing, and black-market dealings with guards. These notes functioned solely within the camp perimeter.
The embossed stamp was the primary anti-counterfeiting measure, applied by camp administration rather than a professional security printer. Crude by any commercial standard, but sufficient for the purpose.
Asinara held significant numbers of Austro-Hungarian prisoners, and by 1916 severe overcrowding had turned the facility into a site of considerable mortality from disease.