Yea, it finally arrived. Not the seller's fault. Looks like the USPS misplaced it for a few days. I think the XF-40 is mostly because the note has overall toning. But it's good enough for me.
A science teacher could incorporate this note into a scientific lesson with ease: examples include explaining how the "paper" was made and from what, how the blue, green, and orange inks were formed from mixing other colors, how the designs were imprinted from intaglio plates (this ties into physics- rate, motion, and velocity), how microscopes may have been used in the plate engraving process, etc. in conjunction with explaining the note's historic significance.
I must be missing something. How can it be a WWII issue when the WWII did not start for the US until 1941. And what does the North Africa have to do with it?
Just like with the Hawaii issues, the US government was worried that the Germans could potentially capture the American money supply in N. Africa. The yellow seal would effectively cancel it if it fell into the wrong hands. And for your earlier question- Series 1934A notes were printed well into the 1940s. This note has W.A Julian and Henry Morgenthau signatures (Julian was U.S treasurer until 1949, and Morgenthau served as treasury secretary until 1945).
You said it yourself. The US did not enter in WWII until late 1941. But what about the US interest in other countries? They were already under attack. Germany occupied 1/3 of Africa, half of Russia and almost all of Europe. The US had to protect its money supply so specific issues for specific areas came about, well before 1941.
No. The US began printing the Hawaii notes in January 1942. The yellow seals were first printed in the summer of 1942. They are called North Africa notes because they were first used during the invasion of North Africa. They were also used for the invasion of Italy.
I have reviewed the records of the BEP as well as the journals of Secretary Morgenthau. There is no indication that either the Hawaii notes or the yellow seals were planned pre-war.
So in a little over one month from the Pearl Harbor attack which brought the US in to WWII, Congress voted on the money change, it was designed and printed?
Issued June 25, 1942... search Wikipedia "Hawaii overprint note" ...on January 10, 1942, Military Governor Delos Carleton Emmons issued an order to recall all regular US currency in the islands, save for set caps on how much money both individuals ($200) and businesses ($500; save extra currency for payroll purposes) could possess at any time. ...and... "Symbols of the United States Department of the Treasury"
Very nice Note. I would of graded it higher though . I own a $10 that's been in my family since the 1940's .I still love showing it to people who aren't collectors and watching their reaction.