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| Issuer | Imperial Japanese Government (Military) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1940 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Printed throughout in dark teal-green on a plain ground, the reverse is enclosed by an intricate guilloche border with scalloped corner cartouches. The denomination 五圓 appears centrally in large Chinese characters above the Western numeral legend 5 YEN in bold serif type, with rectangular panels on either side carrying exchange and counterfeiting-penalty inscriptions in vertical Chinese script. |
| Reverse lettering | 五圓 5 YEN 此票一到即換正面所開日本通貨 如有偽造變造仿造或知情行使者均應重罰不貸 (Translation: This note is exchangeable to Japanese currency upon presentation. Severe punishment will be applied to anyone who counterfeits notes or knowingly uses such notes.) |
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| Comments |
P#M18 belongs to the second series of Japanese military scrip issued for use by occupying forces across China and Southeast Asia. Unlike civilian Bank of Japan notes, these military issues carried no redemption obligation — the occupying government could simply withdraw them from circulation without compensation, which is exactly what happened in multiple territories after 1945.
The Cabinet Printing Bureau produced these domestically, not in the field, and they were shipped in bulk to military paymasters. Surviving examples are plentiful; enormous quantities were printed and many never reached circulation before the surrender.