Story: Coins and banknotes

Internment camp token

Internment camp token

During the Second World War, the Army Department issued tokens to Japanese prisoners of war interned in a camp in Featherston, Wairarapa, so they could purchase personal goods without obtaining legal-tender currency. Most of the tokens were melted down after the war so they are very rare. This one – which was worth five shillings – is held by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: NU005505

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Coins and banknotes - Varied coins and banknotes, 1840s to 1930s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/36384/internment-camp-token (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 20 Jun 2012