1942 Malaya 1 Dollar Banknote (P-M5c) – Japanese Invasion Money
Issued during the Japanese occupation of Malaya in World War II, the 1942 1 Dollar banknote (Pick M5c) is a striking example of Japanese Invasion Money (JIM). Designed to replace British colonial currency, this note was part of Japan’s broader strategy to assert control over Southeast Asia through economic means.
Key Features:
Issuer: Japanese Government (Malaya under occupation)
Denomination: 1 Dollar
Date of Issue: ND (1942)
Catalog Reference: Pick #M5c
Dimensions: 140 × 67 mm
Material: Paper
Obverse Design: Features a breadfruit tree on the left and a coconut palm on the right, with the inscription “THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND ONE DOLLAR” in bold block letters.
Reverse Design: Displays the denomination in Arabic numerals without additional imagery.
This note was circulated in Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Brunei, regions under Japanese control from 1942 to 1945. Locally dubbed “banana money” due to the frequent use of tropical plant imagery, these notes were printed in large quantities and lacked backing by precious metals, leading to rapid inflation and eventual rejection by the population.
Historical Significance: The P-M5c note represents Japan’s attempt to reshape the monetary systems of occupied territories. Though demonetized after Japan’s surrender in 1945, it remains a valuable collectible for numismatists and WWII historians, offering insight into wartime propaganda and economic manipulation.
