I picked up these 3 notes last week because I liked the looks, but I really know nothing about them. Anyone have any info or know of a website where I could learn more? Rusty maybe?
Hey Penny, Great notes!! British Armed Forces Special Vouchers (BAFSVs) replaced AMC marks for use In NAAFI ( Navy,Army, Air Force Instatute) outlets in several areas, It is known that the first and second series were used in Germany and Austria. It has recently been confirmed that they were also used, At least to a Limited extent, In Japan where the were issued May 6,1947 This leaves open The possibility that they were issued in other areas. Six series have been Printed, But the use of the third, fourth and fifth series is largely unknown. The first series is known overprinted "Issue in HM ships afloat for use in NNAAFI canteens only." It is assumed that these overprinted notes were used by the Royal Navy aboard ship, These overprints are found in two varieties. A distinct serial numbering system has been identified for BAFSVs. The notes Have an alpha-numeric serial number where the letter or letters are in Fractional format over the numbers. For each note the highest observed Serial number prefix observed is given. The progression of letters used is Related from one series to another. All BAFSVs were printed by Thomas de la Rue and Co. Heres some of mine from the 6th series
British Armed Forces Special Vouchers were printed for the same reason MPC was printed by the US -- to combat blackmarketing. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Series were issued and used in various parts of the world. The 4th and 5th Series were not used. The 6th Series notes that MPCUSA showed were not printed by TDLR, they were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson although TDLR did also print the 6th Series fractionals. The 6th Series fractionals were printed due to the conversion to decimalized currency in Great Britain. It was issued only in Berlin and was used until 1979. BASFV ceased to be used in 1979. The Ministry of Defence sold the remaining stock in two sales in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Seventeen million notes were sold in these auctions. All the notes were sold as a single lot in each auction. The notes posted by Pennywise and MPCUSA were all part of those sales. The notes from the 1st Series that were overprinted for HM Ships were only used by Force T which was assigned to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. T.F.A. Van Elmpt published a book in 1994 called British Armed Forces Special Vouchers. A good summary of the history and issue of these notes can be found in Schwan-Boling's World War Two Remembered.
Thanks for the additional info Jim, But according to my references: World War II Military Currency written by Fred Schwan and Joseph Boiling page 51 it clearly states (That all BAFSVs) Were printed by Thomas de la ru and company) I dont no why the books would Contradict being written by the same person?
Look at the bottom of the notes. The printers name is right on them. Also, look at the date of publication of the book you reference (1978). WW2R was published in 1995 after Van Elmpt's book on BASFV.
World War Two Remembered is the update to the earlier World War II Military Currency and has the correct information. If you are waiting for another edition of World War II Military Currency, you will be waiting a long time.
Just a little puzzled why the correct information wasent in the First book, Since it was right there in front of them:rolling:
It is possible thet they did not actualy have copies of both notes in front of them though You will also find some with 2 holes punched in them, they come from the famed Berlin hoard
