Part 24: World War II
The Channel Islands have the unenviable distinction of being the only British possession occupied
by the German forces during the Second World War. During the war, change was in short supply so the Islanders issued
their own currency and even used the German occupation notes. It was not until May 9, 1945, the day after V-E Day, which
freedom became a reality for the Bailiwick of Jersey. After the war, the States issued coins, medals,
and banknotes in remembrance of the Liberation.
The book "Jersey under the Swastika" has a
section about the currency situation in Jersey during the war years.
States Occupation Notes |
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Six Pence |
One Shilling |
Two Shillings |
Two Shillings |
Ten Shillings |
One Pound |
German Occupation Notes |
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One Mark |
Two Marks |
Five Marks |
Twenty Marks |
Fifty Marks |
One Pound Liberation Commemorative |
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Liberation Commemoratives
1/12th of Shilling |
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This is a commemorative issue, which owes its existence to Mr. J. Wilfrid du Pre of the Societe Jersiaise.
The coins were first minted in 1949 on the anniversary of the Liberation
of the Island from the German Occupation of the 8th of May 1945.
This issue was minted in 1949, 1950, and 1952.
For a companion medallion, take a look at this Jersey liberation medal.
40th Anniversary of Liberation
Two Pounds |
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On the first of July 1940 the Island of Jersey was occupied by German troops and became,
along with the other Channel Islands, the only British soil to be occupied during the Second World War.
On the 9th of May 1945, a British force liberated the island and the German Commanding Officer was
taken aboard the H.M.S Beagle where he signed terms of surrender.
The reverse design of this crown
depicts the destroyer H.M.S Beagle. The edge of the coins bears an incuse inscription recalling Winston Churchill's
words "our dear Channel Islands will also be freed today."
50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Two Pounds |
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Fifty years ago, the skies over southern England became the fighting arena for those British airmen whom
Churchill dubbed 'The Few'. At a crucial stage of the war, they answered the challenge to contest the mastery
of the air. Their victory was shadowed by tragic losses. One in three never returned.
The reverse, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, depicts a Spitfire over the
outline of the British Isles.
50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Five Pounds |
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This huge coin weighs 4.6215 oz. of .999 fine silver.
50th Anniversary of Battle of Britain
Ten Pounds |
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Jersey issued four gold coins for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The first is this ten pounds gold piece.
50th Anniversary of Battle of Britain
Twenty Five Pounds |
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The second of four gold coins issued for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
is this twenty five pounds gold piece.
50th Anniversary of Battle of Britain
Fifty Pounds |
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This 50 pounds gold coin was also issued for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
50th Anniversary of Battle of Britain
One Hundred Pounds |
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This 100 pounds gold coin issued for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain is very similar to
the two, five, and twenty five pounds coins.
50th Anniversary of Liberation
Two Pounds |
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The Channel Island of Jersey marked the 50th anniversary of its liberation with five coins. The reverse of this
particular coin was designed by the
Royal Mint engraver Robert Elderton to celebrate the end of German occupation.
50th Anniversary of Liberation
Ten Pounds |
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The Channel Island of Jersey marked the 50th anniversary of its liberation with a magnificent four-piece gold set struck by the Royal Mint in Wales.
Minted in .999 fine gold, the coins were issued with an extremely low mintage of only 500 each.
For virtually the whole of World War II, Jersey and the rest of the Channel Islands were under German occupation,
their peaceful pre-war existence shattered.
The objectives of Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings did not include the immediate liberation of the Channel I
slands. It was not until May 9, the day after V-E day, that freedom became a reality for the
Bailiwick of Jersey.
Royal Mint engraver Robert Elderton engraved these reverse designs to celebrate the end of German occupation.
The ten pounds coin depicts a Red Cross ship bringing supplies to Jersey immediately after liberation.
50th Anniversary of Liberation
Twenty Five Pounds |
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As the second coin in the four coin Liberation Anniversary set, the twenty five pounds coins shows islanders waving the flags of Jersey and Britain.
50th Anniversary of Liberation
Fifty Pounds |
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The third coin in the liberation anniversary set, the fifty pounds coin, has an islander welcoming the liberating forces.
50th Anniversary of Liberation
One Hundred Pounds |
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The last coin in the liberation anniversary set, the one hundred pounds coin, details a map of Jersey with the dove of peace.
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS
Two Pounds |
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The emotive design on the reverse of the coin by David Cornell FRSA,
FRBS pays tribute to the courage and determination of the Allied troops who triumphed
against all adversity to secure the freedom many of us take for granted.
The coin design incorporates the land, air and naval forces employed in the operation
and includes the symbol of The Royal British Legion, the red poppy, printed in full color.
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS
Five Pounds |
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This coin, struck by the Royal Mint, is part of a issue to commemorates the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
The issue consist of three crown sized £5 coins struck in silver proof, brilliant uncirculated base metal
and gold.
The reverse has been designed by David Cornell, FRSA, FRSB and features the beach landings in
great detail. Endorsed by the Royal British Legion the design includes a poppy,
which is colored in red on the silver proof coin. The obverse of each coin depicts the popular portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by
Ian Rank-Broadley.
This gold crown has a limited edition of 500.
Spurious World War II Nazi Tokens
All these tokens are fakes and were produced in California during the 1970s.
Al Zalka, Chairman of the Committee Against Copies Fakes and Fantasies,
wrote an interesting article in the
April 1984 Tokens and Medal Society Journal titled
"Jersey Isles Fakes". |
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More spurious World War II tokens
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