PART 2 - THE JAPANESE INVASION BANKNOTES IN MALAYA ( 1941 - 1945)

1 Dollar – Description

Obverse: Engraved, blue-gray with pink and greenish-gray tint: breadfruit tree left, coconut palm right;

Reverse: Blue

Size: 140 x 68 mm

1. Specimen ( Very Rare)

Red wording “Mihon” (Japanese wording meaning specimen) twice on Obverse;

English script “ Specimen” on Reverse

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

2. 1^st Series

2 Block letters with Serial Number, No Watermark

Prefix Known To Exist: MA (S/N) and MB (S/N)

Rare Prefix: Both Prefixes as above (Especially in high grades)

3. 2nd Series

2 block letters.

Prefix Known To Exist: MB – MO, MR and MS

Rare Prefix: MB

Scarce Prefix: MC – MN

4. Cancelled & Unfinished 1 Dollar Banknotes

i) Cancelled with ragged 14 – 17mm hole

ii) Unfinished note with No Block letters or SN

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

5 Dollars – Description

Obverse: Engraved. Maroon with orange and pink tint, coconut palm left, pawpaw right:

Reverse: Purple Brown

Size: 151 x 71 mm

1. Specimen ( Very Rare)

Red wording “Mihon” (Japanese wording meaning specimen) twice on

Obverse;

English script “ Specimen” on Reverse

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

2. 1^st Series

2 Block letters with Serial Number, No Watermark

Prefix Known To Exist: MA (S/N) and MB (S/N)

Rare Prefix: Both Prefixes as above (Especially in high grades)

3. 2nd Series

a). 2 block letters with Watermark

Prefix Known To Exist: MB – MK, MN, MO, MP and MR

Scarce Prefix: MB – MJ ( Especially in high grades)

b) Same as (a) :- 2 block letters with Watermark but in horizontal Quardrille paper

Prefix Known To Exist: MK and MR

10 Dollars – Description

Obverse: Engraved. dark blue with yellow and violet tint; .bananas, breadfruit, and coconuts center.

Reverse: Light blue with ship on horizon.

Size: 162 x 78 mm

1. Specimen ( Very Rare)

Red wording “Mihon” (Japanese wording meaning specimen) twice on Obverse;

English script “ Specimen” on Reverse

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

2. 1^st Series

2 Block letters with Serial Number, No Watermark

Prefix Known To Exist: MA (S/N) and MB (S/N)

Rare Prefix: Both Prefixes as above (Especially in high grades)

3. 2nd Series

a). Same as 1^st Series but 2 block letters with “M” (vertical side); with Watermark

Prefix Known To Exist: MB - MP

Scarce Prefix: MB - MD (Especially in high grades)

b) Same at in (a) but in horizontal quardrille paper.Prefix Known To Exist: MN & MP

c) Obverse: Engraved. gray blue with; .bananas, breadfruit, and coconuts center.

Block letter “MP” and “MN” with splayed side on “M”.

Reverse: Green with ship on horizon. ; No Watermark but with Silk Threads on both sides.

4. Others Unusual Varieties Of the $10 Banknotes

i) As in (b) in 2^nd Series, ; Block letter “MN” with the left block “N” inverted.

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

100 Dollars – Description

Obverse: Engraved.Brown with gray and purple tint; hut under palms; Block MT with “M” Vertical sides.

Reverse: brown with man and buffalos in rivcr

Size: 162 x 78 mm

1. Specimen ( Very Rare)

Red wording “Mihon” (Japanese wording meaning specimen) twice on Obverse;

English script “ Specimen” on Reverse

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

2.1 ^st Variety

i) As described above.

Prefix Known to Exist: MT

ii) Same as in (i) but on Horizontal Quadrille paper

ii) Same as in (i) but on Diagonal Quadrille paper

(I still yet to acquired these banknotes)

iii) Same as in (i) but with face plate deep purple in colour. (Scarce)

3. 2nd Variety

i) Brown and gray; back brown; design as in 1^st Variety (i); No Watermark but with Silk threads; block

MT. Block letter “M” is with splayed sides.

4. 3rd Variety

Obverse:- Brown and gray-green, rubber plantation right;

Reverse:- Green with native houses and seashore: no watermark, paper with silk threads; Block letters in Red

i) As above. Obverse plate 154 – 156mm, with un

derprint in dark green; Reverse :- fine details vignette.(Note:- The underprint of this note has a ribbon of “00”s ascending from lower left.)

ii) As above: Obverse plate is 158 – 159mm, with underprint pale and more gray. Reverse:- Vignette in crude print.(Note:- The underprint of this note has a ribbon of “100”s ascending from lower left)