Historical information

The Japanese government-issued Oceanian Pound was one of several issues of Japanese invasion money used during World War II. Consisting of only four denominations, the Oceanian Pound was the shortest set (i.e., total number of denominations) issued.

Geographically, the region of Oceania comprises numerous islands across the vast South and Central Pacific which includes the islands of New Zealand.[1] Certain descriptions may or may not include Australia.[2] Oceania has also been defined by island groupings: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.[1][3] However, from a numismatic perspective (i.e., the issuance of Japanese invasion money), Oceania consisted of the occupied territories of Guam, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Caroline Islands, Marianas Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau, and the now defunct Territory of New Guinea.[4] [5] Although officially called "Oceania" the region was considered a financial and currency union under Japanese colonial dominion that included several political jurisdictions rather than a single polity.

Physical description

A blue coloured paper note with picture of fruit and an island beach on the front.

Inscriptions & markings

On the front reads "Japanese Government One Shilling" and on the reverse the number 1. On the front in red are the letters "OC".