2 Shillings - George V

Malta's wartime currency needs created an unusual administrative situation: the island remained under British military administration throughout WWI, yet circulating coinage had been severely disrupted by wartime shipping constraints. These small-denomination Treasury notes — issued by the colonial Government of Malta rather than any banking authority — were a direct stopgap, filling the void left by hoarded and exported silver.

De La Rue's involvement was routine for British colonial issues of the period, but the 1918 Malta series is notable for how quickly it became redundant. Coinage supplies stabilized before many notes had seen serious circulation, leaving a disproportionate number of unissued remainders.