WWII Historic 23-Piece Coin, Note & Stamp World Collection

This is an extensive collection of World War II coins, bank notes, and stamps. It includes items from the United States, the Pacific, and Europe, so it truly represents the scope of the war. All items were issued by or for their respective nations during the World War II era, and this is the first time they have been assembled in a single collection. At the start of the war, U.S. currency underwent radical changes in response to the military demands for metals such as copper and nickel for use in airplanes, shell cases, etc.

Starting in 1942, the Nickel was struck in 35% silver to save nickel for the war effort. These are the only silver Nickels in history, and the short-lived silver coins are identified by a large mint mark on the reverse, above Monticello.

In 1943, the Penny was made in steel instead of copper. This is a one-year-only coin and the only steel coin in U.S. history.

The next year, Pennies were made with recycled copper from shell cases recovered from battlefields and ships.

FOREIGN COINS:

The collection also includes coins from other nations involved in the war. The World War II German coin features the symbols of Nazi Germany: the swastika and an eagle with its wings spread. The coin was issued and circulated in Germany in the World War II era. Italy's Lira coin form the war era features an eagle perched on a fasces (a bundle of rods representing government power); this was a symbol of Italy's Fascist regime. The German and Italian coins represent the enemy forces in Europe during the war. The Half Penny from Great Britain and the Five Cents coin from Canada represent coins from two of the closest U.S. allies in the war. Both coins feature the portrait of King George VI. Britain's Half Penny shows a sailing ship to represent the nation’s seafaring tradition. During the war, this was one of the most important British coins, and its continuing mintage during the war years was symbolic of Britain's resilience in the face of the ongoing war. Canadas Five Cents coin was a special World War II-only issue to promote the war effort. It was minted in steel to save nickel for the war effort and the reverse design was changed to feature a large V in the center. This was inspired by Winston Churchill's famous V for Victory sign (as well as the fact that V is the Roman numeral for 5). A victory torch is also included in the center of the design. Around the edge, a series of small dots and dashes is actually a coded message written in Morse Code: We Win When We Work Willingly. This coin was made only in 1943 to 1945.

FOREIGN BANKNOTES:

During their period of ascendancy in the early years of the war in the Pacific, the Japanese occupied several nations. When they did this, they often replaced the local currency with special occupation bank notes in order to control the economy. The people were often forbidden from using the old national currency, which meant they had to deal with the Japanese and acknowledge their new leaders. This collection includes Japanese occupation bank notes from Malaya (now Malaysia), the Philippines, and Burma (now Myanmar). These remain fascinating reminders of a time when the Japanese occupied much of the Pacific, and they include the notation that they were issued by The Japanese Government. In the Philippines, the local population issued its own guerilla currency in defiance of the official Japanese currency. Issued by the forces fighting Japanese occupation, it is a lasting symbol of the fight for freedom. The 1 Peso note was equal to U.S. 50 cents. All bank notes are in uncirculated condition, so they are just as fresh as the day they were issued during World War II.

MINT CONDITION STAMPS:

During the war, the United States issued several patriotic stamps to support the war effort and boost morale. The stamps include the 1940 National Defense issue that was issued before the U.S. joined the war but was intended to show the nation was ready to defend liberty and freedom. The most famous U.S. wartime stamp was the 1942 Win the War issue that was used extensively and that showed support for the troops. The design features an American eagle with its wings raised to make the V for victory sign. Also included is the 1945 commemorative stamp celebrating the U.S. victory in Iwo Jima one of the greatest victories of the war and one of the last battles in the Pacific before the ultimate U.S. victory. Stamps issued by the Japanese in the Philippines took the place of local stamps and were similar in purpose to the occupation bank notes. The 2 Centavos stamp shows a Filipino woman planting rice, while the 5 Centavos stamp shows Mount Mayon (a symbol of the Philippines) and Mount Fuji (the symbol of Japan) together, with the rising sun between them to symbolize unity. The collection also includes some of the most famous stamps from World War II the legendary Hitler Head stamps issued by Germany in 1941 at the height of the Nazi regime and Germanys domination of Europe. The stamps feature the profile of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The 25 Pfennig stamp was issued for use in Germany, while the 6 Pfennig stamp was overprinted "OSTLAND" ("Eastern Front) and was intended to replace local stamps during the German invasion of the Baltic states. All stamps are in mint condition, meaning they miraculously survived the war and remained in pristine condition. The complete collection is beautifully displayed in a custom Folder with narrative about the items and the war that was specially written by experts.