Fiji Paper Money, WWII Emergency Issues

PRINTER

1d -

Australia Government Printer

1/-, 2/-

Fiji Government Printer, letterpress

WATERMARK

Partial watermark appears on some notes:
"HUGUENOT EXTRA STRONG
MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN"

1 Shilling 1.1.1942

Partial watermark appears on some notes:
"T.Edmon..1929"

2 Shillings 1.1.1942

Partial watermark appears on some notes:
"Gowen EXTRA STRONG"

1 Shilling 1.9.1942

Partial watermark appears on some notes:
"Gowen EXTRA STRONG"

**1942 Emergency Issues**
N.345, RC.56, SB.1371, P.39a 1d 1.7.1942.	Back Sig.: Robertson, Martin, Banting
N.346 3d ₍₁₎	Unfinished, unissued
N.346A 6d₍₁₎	Unfinished, unissued
N.347s,RC.53, SB.1372s1, P.40s 1/- 1.1.1942.	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.347, RC.53, SB1372, P.40 1/- 1.1.1942 3 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.347, RC.53, SB1372, P.40 1/- 1.1.1942 4 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.347, RC.53, SB1372, P.40 1/- 1.1.1942 5 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.347r, RC.53, SB1372, P.40 1/- 1.1.1942 Remainder *	Back Remainder Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.347r, RC.53, P.40r 1 Shilling 1.1.1942.	Remainder, Uncut Sheet
N.348s, RC.54, SB.1374bs, P.42s 2/- 1.1.1942	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348b, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 2 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348c, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 3 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348d, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 4 Digit Serial	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348e, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 5 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348f, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 6 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348rs, RC.54, SB.1374, P.42a 2/- 1.1.1942 Remainder with selvidge *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Hayward, Banting
N.348r, RC.54, P.42r 2 Shillings 1.1.1942	Remainder, Uncut Sheet
N.349A,RC.55, SB.1373a, P.41a 1/- 1.9.1942	Back Sig.: Robertson, Banting, Martin
N.349Bs,RC.55, SB.1373b1s, P.41s 1/- 1.9.1942	Back Sig.: Robertson, Banting, Martin
N.349B, RC.55, P.41 1 Shilling 1.9.1942 3 Digit Serial *	Back Sig.: Robertson, Banting, Martin
N.349B, RC.55, SB.1373a, P.41a 1/- 1.9.1942	Back Sig.: Robertson, Banting, Martin

₍₁₎Unfinished examples of the 3d and 6d are housed in the Reserve Bank of Fiji Museum

BACKGROUNDER**
1d N.345- WW II Remembered claims 100,000 were issued. I have seen the figure of 1 million in other publications, such as Coin World. I suspect the latter may be more correct, because so many are available. These are easily obtained in Uncirculated condition. The reason is the American GIs in Fiji at the time. One penny was nothing in value, but the fact the note pictured a penny with a hole in it, was a source of amusement to the GIs, who thought of a penny in very different terms. Being paper and low value, many of the GIs sent copies back to their families along with their letters home. 1/- N.347 - WW II Remembered reports that 90,000 were issued. 1/- N.349 - WW II Remembered reports that 71,000 were issued. 2/- N.348 - WW II Remembered reports that 180,000 were issued. Interesting point: the 2/- note was issued by "The Government of Fiji" while the underprint indicates "Colony of Fiji".

**ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
* We gratefully acknowledge Neville Cuthbert who provided images and background information used in this section. ** We gratefully acknowledge Don Cleveland, IBNS Assistant General Secretary & Assistant Treasurer for Australasia who provided background info and assistance with this section.