5 Cents Camp 202

Camp 202 was a Second World War prisoner-of-war camp in Canada, part of the network established to house Axis prisoners — predominantly German — transferred from Britain under pressure on British holding capacity. Internal camp scrip like this 5 Cent piece served as the only permitted medium of exchange within the canteen system, deliberately preventing prisoners from accumulating hard currency that might assist an escape attempt.

Red paper stock was a common color-coding device across Canadian POW camp scrip series, distinguishing denominations at a glance. These notes circulated in genuinely punishing conditions and survivors are rarely found without folds and handling wear.