There were hundreds of POW camps located thoughout the United States during WWII. Prisoners were paid 80 cents per day. They could spend the money in camp canteens. Chit books were printed for this purpose. Not all camps issued chits. This one was used at Ft. Meade. Most POW chits are rare. Chits and tokens used in US Internment Camps for civilians are even more scarce. At the end of the war, the prisoners received payment orders (similar to a check but not negotiable) for the balance of their accounts. Some of these amounted to several hundred dollars. These payment orders (I will post one after I get home tonight) could only be cashed at US military facilities in their home country after repatriation.
Ft. Meade is up the road from Annapolis. I didn't know they held prisoners there. Where does the word "chit" come from & what does it mean? And the serial number, did they really write 70 million military disbursing checks? Thanks for sharing this piece of history. Jack
I believe that it originates in India, Hindu traders used bitss of paper called citthi, then the British started to call the notes that bar bills were put on Chit's It can also be used when talking of a girl, Ie a chit of a girl meaning a small girl LOL
