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David
KABUA
13.1.2020 >

SB.1922a  10 Cents ND(Ca. 1950's)  _BH

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The Japtan Islands banknote shown above was printed aboard the USS Estes AGC-12 during the period of atomic bomb testing at Eniwetok atoll in the Marshall Islands. Joseph E. Boling co-author of "World War II Remembered" provided this information about their purpose. "I believe they were actual circulating currency in the exchange system within the task force."

To support this possibility, Larry "Ski" Smulczenski reported on January 18, 2005  in MPC GRAM #1225, the following, "I just found a photocopy of a letter from Captain J. S. Holtwick, Jr. to Rear Admiral C. W. Wilkins dated 4 October 1952. The content is astonishing. 'Dear Admiral Wilkins: The enclosed samples, fresh off the press, of the five different denominations of Recreation Scrip being used for commerce on Japtan Island, might be an interesting souvenir. The natives accept it without demur, in exchange for such locally available examples of native craft as beer, ice cream, and pop. Your enthusiastic support of the project, and the fine backing you and your staff have given me and my people in establishing it, are sincerely appreciated.'  Wow. This seems to be saying that the Japtan notes that we know and have considered to be mostly souvenirs actually circulated in commerce. It also states FIVE different denominations were in use and finally, it was assumed that the admiral would be interested in these as souvenirs. I think that all of this is amazing (the most amazing part is that the letter still exists and has found its way into collectors' hands.) "

The back has an atomic graphic and the denomination. It is believed that the signature is that of J.S. Holtwisk, Jr.- Recreation Council Chairman. Examples known to exist are in denominations of 5 Cents, 10 Cents, 25 Cents, 50 Cents and $1.00.  Printed on bond paper, some exist with a postmark thought to be that of the USS Bairoko CVE-115/AKV-15.
 
Eniwetok is a very small atoll in the Ralik chain. It was occupied by 3,500 Japanese and Korean troops during WWII and was captured by the Allied Army on February 23, 1944. After the war it became a hydrogen bomb testing site.

The Marshall Islands are about the size of Washington, DC and have a population of 58,000. It attained its independence 21.10.1986 and maintains a free association with the US. The US Dollar is currently used as its currency but they are considering Sovereign Cryptocurrency in parallel with the USD.