I have a potentially odd set of notes, that hopefully someone else has also run across. I have several Unc 5 Piastre notes that do not have either serial numbers or signatures on them. I've gone online to see what they're worth, and all that are selling have numbers and signatures. I've attached copies of my note and a numbered / signed note. My notes came from my father, who served high up in the U.S. Military Governor's office in Tokyo right after WWII, so I don't think they're fakes, but maybe. He brought back hundreds / thousands of unc JIM notes and others, that I'm starting to catalog. Anyone familiar with this type of thing? Thanks!
One of the other members will be able to help you when they pop in. If there is no serial number or signature, they are probably remainders (unused and unissued). In a lot of cases, they won't have high value. These are nice looking notes. Can you provide high-res scans? I'd like to see the details. And Welcome to Coin Talk!
I just checked my World Paper Money catalog 11th Edition. French Indo-China #75 For your note it says "1951 s1. Unfinished Specimen without signatures or serial number, Unc $400".
I've attached the auction for your first image here: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vietnam-French-Indo-china-5-Piastre-1951-P-75-aUNC-/320671870290?pt=Paper_Money&hash=item4aa9886d52 If you can add a larger scan (preferably) of your note, it would really help.
Do you know what position your father had in the Military Governor's Office in Japan? Was he involved in the finance arm? If so, were there any documents other than these notes in his papers? The reason I ask is that there are a number of people I know (myself included) who are researching the subject of WWII related currency. We have found some significant information in papers of those who participated in occupation that had not surfaced elsewhere.
This Forum Rocks! I'm blown away by the knowledge and enthusiasm here. Thank you! Better scans are attached. Lettow, I think my dad was more in the political end of things -- pretty sure it wasn't finance. But, he brought back 13 of these UNC notes, and about 10-20 each of dozens of other, mostly UNC. Many are the Mickey Mouse money -- the 1/2 shillings, 1 pesos, etc. But it's going to be fun to learn about them. I'll probably be selling some of each, as time goes on. Thanks again for the help and the warm welcome!
